The Effect of Living with Spouse on Cognitive Decline and Depressive Symptom in Elderly People

Son, Ji Hyun; Han, Doug Hyun; Kee, Baik Seok

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether living with spouse contributes to cognitive decline and depressive symptom among elderly people.
METHODS
939 participants were recruited through Keum-Cheon center for dementia in Seoul. All subjects were assessed using the Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE-K), Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-K) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Furthermore, epidemiological factors (age, sex, education year, and characteristics of family) assessed to find correlation with cognitive decline.
RESULTS
Controlling for gender, age, and education year, living with spouse was significantly associated with cognitive decline (B=-0.486, S.E=0.203, Wald=0.331, Exp (B)=1.107, p=0.01). Living with spouse group has lower depressive symptom, compared to living without spouse group (F=14.6, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Correctly, our results suggest that spouse absent state may accelerate cognitive decline and depression. Further, elderly people living alone should be closely monitored for both depression and cognitive impairment.