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Activity participation reduces the risk of late-life depression: a sex-specific analysis of the AgeCoDe/AgeQualiDe study

The demographic trend towards an ageing society is accompanied by an increase in age-related illnesses, with late-life depression (LLD) being one of the most common mental illnesses in the oldest-old (≥ 80 years). As activity participation potentially prevents LLD, this study examines sex-specific d...

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Main Authors: Kappe, Josefine (Author) , Pabst, Alexander (Author) , Luppa, Melanie (Author) , Eisele, Marion (Author) , Mallon, Tina (Author) , Hajek, André (Author) , Brettschneider, Christian (Author) , Heser, Kathrin (Author) , Weyerer, Siegfried (Author) , Pentzek, Michael (Author) , Bickel, Horst (Author) , Wiese, Birgitt (Author) , Wagner, Michael (Author) , Maier, Wolfgang (Author) , Scherer, Martin (Author) , König, Hans-Helmut (Author) , Riedel-Heller, Steffi G. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 02 Mar 2026
In: Aging & mental health
Year: 2026, Pages: 1-14
ISSN:1364-6915
DOI:10.1080/13607863.2026.2634130
Online Access:Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2026.2634130
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Author Notes:Josefine Kappe, Alexander Pabst, Melanie Luppa, Marion Eisele, Tina Mallon, André Hajek, Christian Brettschneider, Kathrin Heser, Siegfried Weyerer, Michael Pentzek, Horst Bickel, Birgitt Wiese, Michael Wagner, Wolfgang Maier, Martin Scherer, Hans-Helmut König and Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
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Summary:The demographic trend towards an ageing society is accompanied by an increase in age-related illnesses, with late-life depression (LLD) being one of the most common mental illnesses in the oldest-old (≥ 80 years). As activity participation potentially prevents LLD, this study examines sex-specific differences in the relationship between activity participation and LLD risk. Data were derived from the prospective multicenter cohort study AgeCoDe/AgeQualiDe with 9 follow-ups (FU). LLD was assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15, cut-off score 6). Activity participation was first assessed at FU1 based on 14 physical, social and cognitive activities (5-point ordinal scale). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U-tests and Cox regressions estimating incident LLD from FU2 to FU9. Time at risk began at FU1, where activity participation was first assessed. Analyses included n = 2,305 at FU1; mean age 81.0; 64% women. Men reported significantly more physical activity (U = 569,468, p = 0.010), women more cognitive activity (U = 658,426, p = 0.002). A higher activity participation at FU1 was associated with a lower risk of LLD with HR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.95, 0.98]. Particularly, participation in physical activities reduced LLD risk with HR = 0.96, 95% CI [0.93, 0.98], which could not be shown for social and cognitive activities. Analyses could not confirm a sex-dependent association. Activity participation, especially in physical activities, appears preventive for LLD in the oldest-old. Contrary to the hypothesis, these associations did not differ between men and women.
Item Description:Gesehen am 12.03.2026
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1364-6915
DOI:10.1080/13607863.2026.2634130

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