The Effect of Living with Spouse on Cognitive Decline and Depressive Symptom in Elderly People.
- Author:
Ji Hyun SON
1
;
Doug Hyun HAN
;
Baik Seok KEE
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. cauhpkbs@cau.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Living with spouse;
MMSE-K;
GDS;
CERAD-K
- MeSH:
Aged;
Alzheimer Disease;
Dementia;
Depression;
Humans;
Spouses
- From:Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry
2013;17(1):14-19
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether living with spouse contributes to cognitive decline and depressive symptom among elderly people. METHODS: 939 participants were recruited through Keum-Cheon center for dementia in Seoul. All subjects were assessed using the Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE-K), Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-K) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Furthermore, epidemiological factors (age, sex, education year, and characteristics of family) assessed to find correlation with cognitive decline. RESULTS: Controlling for gender, age, and education year, living with spouse was significantly associated with cognitive decline (B=-0.486, S.E=0.203, Wald=0.331, Exp (B)=1.107, p=0.01). Living with spouse group has lower depressive symptom, compared to living without spouse group (F=14.6, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Correctly, our results suggest that spouse absent state may accelerate cognitive decline and depression. Further, elderly people living alone should be closely monitored for both depression and cognitive impairment.
