OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between presence of depressive symptoms and risk of death in older adults residing in a municipality in Southern Brazil. METHODS Between 2009 and 2014, 1,391 people participated in the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study, a population-based longitudinal study. Depressive symptoms were assessed through the Geriatric Depression Scale. The initial time was considered the age at the first interview, and the end time, the age at the last contact or death. Cox regression models were used to estimate the mortality risk associated with depressive symptoms, adjusted by sex, education, income, paid work, smoking status, alcohol consumption, morbidities, medication use, physical activity, disability, cognitive impairment, and body mass index. RESULTS The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 23.5% (95%CI 20.4-26.9). On crude analysis, the risk of mortality was 1.86 (95%CI 1.35-2.55) for individuals with depressive symptoms; in adjusted models, the risk of mortality was 1.67 (95%CI 1.15-2.40). CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms are an independent risk factor for mortality in older Brazilian adults. Our findings highlight the importance of screening this population for depression and the practice of preventive actions.

中文翻译：

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抑郁症状是死亡的独立危险因素

目的 评估居住在巴西南部城市的老年人抑郁症状的存在与死亡风险之间的关系。方法 2009 年至 2014 年，1,391 人参加了 EpiFloripa 老龄化队列研究，这是一项基于人群的纵向研究。通过老年抑郁量表评估抑郁症状。初始时间被认为是第一次面谈时的年龄，结束时间被认为是最后一次接触或死亡时的年龄。Cox 回归模型用于估计与抑郁症状相关的死亡风险，并根据性别、教育、收入、有偿工作、吸烟状况、饮酒、发病率、药物使用、身体活动、残疾、认知障碍和体重指数进行调整。结果 抑郁症状的患病率为 23.5% (95%CI 20.4-26.9)。根据粗略分析，有抑郁症状的个体的死亡风险为 1.86 (95% CI 1.35-2.55)；在调整后的模型中，死亡风险为 1.67 (95% CI 1.15-2.40)。结论 抑郁症状是巴西老年人死亡的独立危险因素。我们的研究结果强调了筛查该人群的抑郁症和采取预防措施的重要性。