The association between gait speed and depressive disorders - A cross-sectional analysis of very old adults in the 21st century.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between gait speed and depressive disorders among very old adults (≥85 years).

METHOD

This study utilized the GERDA-database, which encompasses a representative sample of those aged 85, 90, and 95+ years residing in northern Sweden and western Finland. From four data collections between 2000 and 2017, this study included 1794 participants. Self-paced gait speed was measured over 2.4-m and depressive disorders was evaluated by a specialist in geriatric medicine according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria. T-tests and multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore differences and associations between gait speed and depressive disorders.

RESULTS

Gait speed was independently associated with depressive disorders among very old adults ( < .001). The results showed significantly different mean gait speeds (m/s) between individuals with/without a depressive disorder (0.34 ± 0.24/0.52 ± 0.26, < .001), between individuals with a depressive disorder with/without antidepressant treatment (0.35 ± 0.24/0.44 ± 0.24, < .001) and between non-responders/responders to antidepressants (0.36 ± 0.21/0.42 ± 0.22, = .020).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study focusing on very old adults that has shown an independent association between gait speed and depressive disorders. Responders to antidepressant medication had a higher mean gait speed than non-responders, which may imply shifts in function upon successful treatment.