Psychological Distress, Cognition, and Functional Disability Trajectory Profiles of Aging in Primary Care Older Adults

Objectives To identify profiles of aging by combining psychological distress, cognition and functional disability, and their associated factors. Methods Data were drawn from the etude sur la Sante des Aines-Services study and included 1585 older adults. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, lifestyle and health factors were informed from structured interviews. Group-based multi-trajectory modeling and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify aging profiles and correlates. Sampling weights were applied to account for the sampling plan. Results The weighted sample size was 1591. Three trajectories were identified: a favorable (79.0%), intermediate (14.5%), and severe scenario (6.5%). Factors associated with the severe scenario were older age, male gender, lower education, the presence of anxiety disorders, low physical activity, and smoking. Membership in the intermediate scenario was associated with daily hassles, physical disorders, anxiety and depression, antidepressant/psychotherapy use, low physical activity, and no alcohol use. High social support was protective against less favorable profiles. Conclusions Symptoms of anxiety and depression and high burden of physical disorders were associated with less favorable trajectories. Modifiable lifestyle factors have a significant effect on healthy aging. Clinical implications Assessment and management of anxio-depressive symptoms are important in older adults. Clinical interventions including access to psychotherapy and promotion of healthier lifestyles should be considered.

Automated summary

This study identified profiles of aging based on psychological distress, cognition, and functional disability, and explored their associated factors. The results showed that symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as high burden of physical disorders, were associated with less favorable trajectories of aging. Additionally, modifiable lifestyle factors were found to have a significant impact on healthy aging.