Cognitive impairment and depression predict mortality in medically ill older adults

Background Depression and cognitive impairment are common in medically ill older adults. Few studies, however, have investigated the roles of both in predicting mortality for medically ill older adults. Methods We used a cohort of consecutive patients aged 60 or older admitted to a rehabilitation hospital (N = 667) of whom 455 completed a standardized protocol measuring cognition (Dementia Rating Scale), depression (Geriatri c Depression Scale), and disabilities (Functional Independence Measure). Bu rden of medical illnesses was measured with the Charlson Index. Vital statu s was assessed one year later Results. Those subjects who did not complete the screening went more likely to die (24% vs 17%; p =.02) during the one-year follow-up. Of those who co mpleted the screening, male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84), depression (mild OR = 1.64; moderate OR = 2.49), and more severe cognitive impairment (OR = 2.13) predicted mortality independent of age, medical illnesses, or disabil ities. No interaction of cognitive impairment and depression was detected. In those subjects cognitively intact, moderate depression (OR = 4.95) and m ale sex (OR = 3.42) were independent risk factors for dying. In those subje cts without depression, male sex (OR= 224) and elevated Charlson Index. (OR = 1.42) predicted mortality. Conclusions. Depression and cognitive impairment are independent predictors of one-year mortality in this subgroup of medically ill older adults.