@article {8267, title = {Does Mode of Contact with Different Types of Social Relationships Predict Depression in Older Adults? Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey}, journal = {Journal of the American Geriatrics Society}, volume = {63}, year = {2015}, pages = {2014}, publisher = {63}, abstract = {ObjectivesTo determine associations between use of three different modes of social contact (in person, telephone, written or e-mail), contact with different types of people, and risk of depressive symptoms in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults. DesignPopulation-based observational cohort. SettingUrban and suburban communities throughout the contiguous United States. ParticipantsIndividuals aged 50 and older who participated in the Health and Retirement Survey between 2004 and 2010 (N = 11,065). MeasurementsFrequency of participant use of the three modes of social contact with children, other family members, and friends at baseline were used to predict depressive symptoms (measured using the eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) 2 years later using multivariable logistic regression models. ResultsProbability of having depressive symptoms steadily increased as frequency of in-personbut not telephone or written or e-mail contactdecreased. After controlling for demographic, clinical, and social variables, individuals with in-person social contact every few months or less with children, other family, and friends had a significantly higher probability of clinically significant depressive symptoms 2 years later (11.5 ) than those having in-person contact once or twice per month (8.1 ; P .001) or once or twice per week (7.3 ; P .001). Older age, interpersonal conflict, and depression at baseline moderated some of the effects of social contact on depressive symptoms. ConclusionFrequency of in-person social contact with friends and family independently predicts risk of subsequent depression in older adults. Clinicians should consider encouraging face-to-face social interactions as a preventive strategy for depression.}, keywords = {Demographics, Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Methodology, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, author = {Alan R Teo and Choi, Hwajung and Sarah B. Andrea and Marcia A. Valenstein and Jason T Newsom and Dobscha, Steven K. and Zivin, Kara} } @article {7967, title = {Neuropsychiatric disorders and potentially preventable hospitalizations in a prospective cohort study of older Americans.}, journal = {J Gen Intern Med}, volume = {29}, year = {2014}, note = {Export Date: 6 August 2014 Article in Press}, month = {2014 Oct}, pages = {1362-71}, publisher = {29}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The relative contributions of depression, cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND), and dementia to the risk of potentially preventable hospitalizations in older adults are not well understood.

OBJECTIVE(S): To determine if depression, CIND, and/or dementia are each independently associated with hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) and rehospitalizations within 30 days after hospitalization for pneumonia, congestive heart failure (CHF), or myocardial infarction (MI).

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 7,031 Americans > 50 years old participating in the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2008).

MAIN MEASURES: The eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and/or International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) depression diagnoses were used to identify baseline depression. The Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status and/or ICD-9-CM dementia diagnoses were used to identify baseline CIND or dementia. Primary outcomes were time to hospitalization for an ACSC and presence of a hospitalization within 30 days after hospitalization for pneumonia, CHF, or MI.

KEY RESULTS: All five categories of baseline neuropsychiatric disorder status were independently associated with increased risk of hospitalization for an ACSC (depression alone: Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.33, 95\% Confidence Interval [95\%CI]: 1.18, 1.52; CIND alone: HR: 1.25, 95\%CI: 1.10, 1.41; dementia alone: HR: 1.32, 95\%CI: 1.12, 1.55; comorbid depression and CIND: HR: 1.43, 95\%CI: 1.20, 1.69; comorbid depression and dementia: HR: 1.66, 95\%CI: 1.38, 2.00). Depression (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.37, 95\%CI: 1.01, 1.84), comorbid depression and CIND (OR: 1.98, 95\%CI: 1.40, 2.81), or comorbid depression and dementia (OR: 1.58, 95\%CI: 1.06, 2.35) were independently associated with increased odds of rehospitalization within 30 days after hospitalization for pneumonia, CHF, or MI.

CONCLUSIONS: Depression, CIND, and dementia are each independently associated with potentially preventable hospitalizations in older Americans. Older adults with comorbid depression and cognitive impairment represent a particularly at-risk group that could benefit from targeted interventions.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition Disorders, Cohort Studies, Dementia, depression, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, United States}, issn = {1525-1497}, doi = {10.1007/s11606-014-2916-8}, author = {Dimitry S Davydow and Zivin, Kara and Wayne J Katon and Gregory M Pontone and Lydia Chwastiak and Kenneth M. Langa and Theodore J Iwashyna} }