| Title: |
How self-rated health relates to cognitive function: The role of depressive symptoms |
| Authors: |
Hrezova, E; Bartoskova Polcrova, A; Capkova, N; Bobak, M; Pikhart, H |
| Source: |
European Journal of Public Health ; volume 35, issue Supplement_4 ; ISSN 1101-1262 1464-360X |
| Publisher Information: |
Oxford University Press (OUP) |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Description: |
Background Self-rated health (SRH) provides effective reflection of an individual's overall health and is linked to cognitive functioning in different populations. The mechanism of association remains unclear; however, depression may potentially explain the connection. Methods We used cross-sectional data on 5912 participants (55 % women) aged 45-69 years from the Czech arm of the HAPIEE study. Individuals assessed their SRH on a five-point scale (from very good to very poor). Global cognitive score was measured using four tests assessing verbal memory and learning, verbal fluency, attention, mental speed and concentration and was analysed as a latent variable. Depressive symptoms were measured using the CESD-20 scale (range: 0-60). We used structural equation modelling to examine the relationships between SRH, depression and cognitive function, adjusted for sex, age, education, marital and employment status. Results Overall, 10 % of participants rated their health as poor or very poor. The average depression score was 10 points. SRH was negatively associated with global cognitive score (total effect: β = -0.085, p < 0.001), with both a direct effect (β = -0.058, p < 0.001) and an indirect effect through depressive symptoms (β = -0.027, p < 0.001). Depressive symptoms mediated approximately 32% of the total effect of SRH on cognitive functioning. However, as we used the cross-sectional data temporality and direction of the effect cannot be clearly stated. Conclusions Poor or very poor SRH is associated with worse cognitive functioning and may serve as an early risk indicator for cognitive decline. Depression emerged as a key mediator of this relationship, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health as part of strategies to maintain cognitive function in aging populations. Future studies should investigate longitudinal associations. #NGEU Key messages • Poor SRH is linked to lower cognitive scores, which could serve as an early indicator of cognitive decline risk. • ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1022 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1022; https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article-pdf/35/Supplement_4/ckaf161.1022/64945499/ckaf161.1022.pdf |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.E5150742 |
| Database: |
BASE |