The association of ambient temperature with depression in middle-aged and elderly people: a multicenter prospective repeat survey study in China

Depression is the most common mental illness and contributes to a huge disease burden. However, few studies have examined the association between ambient temperature on depression. In this study, a three times repeated survey was conducted in 24 communities nationwide in China, through a face-to-face interview. Weather and air pollution data were collected from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the China National Environmental Monitoring Center, respectively. Depression was diagnosed by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and generalized estimation equation models were used to examine the effects of ambient temperature on depression. Finally, 3811 individuals participated in the baseline survey, and a total of 9814 visits were completed during the three repeated survey periods. The relationship between ambient temperature and depression was linear. After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed that every 5 degrees C reduction in the two-week moving average temperature was associated with a 15.6% increase in depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.156, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.009-1.324, P= 0.038). Subgroup analyses showed that people aged > 65 years (OR = 1.269, 95% CI: 1.082-1.489, P< 0.01) were more vulnerable than those aged <65 years (OR = 0.873, 95% CI: 0.703-1.084, P= 0.22), while women (OR = 1.250, 95% CI: 1.054-1.483, P < 0.01) were more vulnerable than men (OR = 0.947, 95% CI: 0.771-1.162, P = 0.68). Results of the present study support an association between lower temperatures and increased risk of depression.

Automated summary

This study conducted three repeated surveys in 24 communities nationwide in China to examine the association between ambient temperature and depression. The results showed a linear relationship between lower temperatures and increased risk of depression, with every 5 degrees C reduction leading to a 15.6% increase in depression risk. Subgroup analyses revealed that individuals aged > 65 years and women were more vulnerable to the effects of ambient temperature.