Dementia and Depression in the elderly: Correlations and associated factors

• Main Author: Torres, David Sammuel Dantas
• Publication Date: 2024
• Other Authors: Valerio, Fabricio Ricardo, Santos, Caroline Haussman dos, Câmara, Thiago de Souza Leão, França, Sophia Lima Luiz Ramalho, Melo, Soraya Sarmento de, Souza, Francis Kleber Pereira Lacerda de, Martins, Beatriz Potyguara Wanderley, Freitas, Maria Clécia Dantas de, Ramacciotti, Ana Paula Gonçalves, Lopes, Glicio Wellington Ribeiro, Ferreira, Vaniely Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Implantology and Health Sciences
• Download full: https://bjihs.emnuvens.com.br/bjihs/article/view/2089
• topic: Demência; Depressão; Idoso; Declínio Cognitivo; Dementia; Depression; Aged; Cognitive Decline

Epidemiological and clinical studies have consistently indicated a bidirectional association between dementia and depression in the elderly. As a result, it is necessary to understand the factors associated with the concomitant development of these conditions. Therefore, this work aims to understand the correlations and factors associated with the mutual presence of dementia and depression in the elderly. This article is an Integrative Literature Review methodology, with research carried out in the BVS, PubMed and SciELO databases, using the following descriptors in health sciences: “Dementia”, “Depression”, “Aged” and “Cognitive Decline”, together with the Boolean operator “AND”, observing articles published over the last 5 years in English, Portuguese and Spanish. After the end of the research, 13 articles were selected to form the discussion of this work. There is a strong correlation between the concomitant presence of dementia and depression in the elderly, although the causal relationship between the two conditions is still uncertain. While some studies indicate that depression leads to dementia, others suggest the opposite relationship, and others have not even managed to establish a relationship, merely attesting to the mutual presence of the conditions. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors may influence the correlation between diseases in an uncertain manner. Factors such as advanced age, female gender, cognitive and functional impairment, genetic factors, comorbidities, emotional factors and use of certain psychotropic medications have been associated with the concomitant presence of depression and dementia in the elderly.