Matsumoto Kazuki, Hanazato Masamichi, Chen Yu-Ru, Matsuoka Yoko, Mori Yuta, Yoshida Hiroaki, Kondo Katsunori
Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; Design Research Institute, Chiba University, 1-19-1, Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0044, Japan.
Prev Med. 2025 Feb;191:108204. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108204. Epub 2024 Dec 9.
Depression in older adults has been associated with environmental factors, such as green spaces and walkable neighborhoods; however, evidence on the relationship between proximity to public transportation and mental health is scarce. This multi-municipality longitudinal study examined the association between proximity to public transportation and risk of depression among older adults and considered car usage.
We analyzed data from 4947 functionally independent adults, aged 65 years and older who resided in 25 municipalities across Japan. Data were obtained via the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study in 2016 and 2019. We assessed depression over three years in older adults without depression at baseline via the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. We subjectively and objectively measured their proximity to public transportation. Logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusted for covariates, with analyses stratified by car usage.
Of the participants, 9.76 % developed depression over a three-year period. Those without car usage and with reported lack of proximal public transport exhibited a higher incidence of depression (OR = 1.60, 95 %CI: 1.05-2.42) compared with those who had better access. No significant association was observed in the car user group. Furthermore, no significant association was observed in the analysis that used objective measures with Geographic Information System (GIS) data.
Subjective limited access to public transport was significantly associated with the risk of depression among older adults without car usage. Hence, improving and maintaining transportation infrastructure may mitigate the risk of depression.
老年人的抑郁症与环境因素有关，如绿地和适宜步行的社区；然而，关于公共交通便利性与心理健康之间关系的证据却很少。这项多市纵向研究调查了公共交通便利性与老年人抑郁症风险之间的关联，并考虑了汽车使用情况。
我们分析了4947名功能独立的65岁及以上成年人的数据，这些人居住在日本的25个城市。数据通过2016年和2019年的日本老年学评估研究获得。我们通过老年抑郁量表-15对基线时无抑郁症的老年人进行了为期三年的抑郁症评估。我们主观和客观地测量了他们与公共交通的距离。进行了逻辑回归分析，并对协变量进行了调整，分析按汽车使用情况分层。
在参与者中，9.76%的人在三年期间患上了抑郁症。与交通便利性更好的人相比，那些不使用汽车且报告附近缺乏公共交通的人患抑郁症的发生率更高（OR = 1.60，95%CI：1.05 - 2.42）。在汽车使用者组中未观察到显著关联。此外，在使用地理信息系统（GIS）数据进行客观测量的分析中也未观察到显著关联。
对于不使用汽车的老年人，主观上公共交通便利性受限与抑郁症风险显著相关。因此，改善和维护交通基础设施可能会降低抑郁症风险。
