Prospective association of depression symptoms with exceptional longevity among older women

Abstract

Older women may experience elevated depression symptoms, which have been associated with morbidity and mortality. Yet, few studies have examined associations of depression symptoms with longevity. We examined associations among older women of depression symptoms with survival to ages 90, 95, and 100, and survival to age 90 with intact mobility and cognitive functioning. Participants were 70,560 women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative with potential, due to birth year, to reach age ≥ 90 as of February 2022. Depression symptoms were assessed at baseline (1993–1998) using the Burnam screen, which comprises the 6-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and 2 items from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Depression symptoms were classified as elevated (vs. not) using an established cut point of ≥ 0.06 for detecting depressive disorders. Survival (vs. death) to ages 90, 95, and 100 years was assessed. Among women surviving to age ≥ 90, maintenance of mobility and cognitive function were assessed in relation to depression symptoms. A total of 37,460 women (53.1%) survived to age ≥ 90. Women with (vs. without) elevated depression symptoms had 15% lower odds of surviving to age 90, 18% lower odds of surviving to age 95, and 23% lower odds of surviving to age 100. Among women surviving to 90, those with (vs. without) elevated depression symptoms had 46% lower odds of surviving with intact mobility and cognition. Depression symptoms associated with lower odds of healthy longevity. Findings underscore importance of depression intervention to increase women’s odds of healthy longevity.