Impact of falls on depressive symptoms among the oldest old: Results from the AgeQualiDe study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the impact of falls on depressive symptoms among the oldest old in Germany longitudinally. MethodsData were used from 2 waves of the multicenter prospective cohort Study on needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+) (AgeQualiDe). This study covers primary care patients 85years (at baseline: n=547, average age of 88.93.0years; ranging from 85 to 100years). General practitioner-diagnosed falls were used as explanatory variable. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used as outcome measure. ResultsLinear fixed effects regressions showed that the occurrence of falls is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms (=.60, P=.02), whereas changes in marital status, ageing, social support, functional decline (instrumental activity of daily living), cognitive impairment, and an increase in chronic diseases did not affect depressive symptoms. In sensitivity analysis, an increase in depressive symptoms was associated with functional impairment (basic activities of daily living; Barthel index; =-.04, P=.005). ConclusionsBased on a large, population-based longitudinal study, this study underlined the impact of falls on depressive symptoms and consequently extended previous knowledge about an association between falls and depressive symptoms in the oldest old. Developing strategies to prevent falls might also help to prevent depressive symptoms.