Analysis of Depression Status and Influencing Factors in Middle-aged and Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases in China: an Empirical Analysis Based on CHARLS Data

Background There are a large number of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases. However, there is currently limited research on the depression status and influencing factors of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases nationwide. Objective By exploring the depression status and influencing factors of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases in China, to provide a reference for improving their mental health status. Methods According to the fifth round of national survey data conducted by the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2020, a total of 12 551 middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases were selected as the study objects. The depression status of the study objects was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the main factors affecting the depression status of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases were analyzed using the chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression. Results Among middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases, the proportion of those with depressive symptoms was 40.7% (5 111/12 551). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that: gender (male: OR=0.613, 95%CI=0.553-0.680), age (65-<75 years old: OR=0.862, 95%CI=0.769-0.965; ≥75 years old: OR=0.604, 95%CI=0.510-0.716), presence of spouse/partner living together or not (have OR=0.730, 95%CI=0.648-0.822), places of residence (rural: OR=1.515, 95%CI=1.387-1.654), educational levels (junior high school: OR=0.727, 95%CI=0.657-0.805; senior high school and above: OR=0.561, 95%CI=0.488-0.646), social status (1 item: OR=0.870, 95%CI=0.793-0.956; ≥ 2 items: OR=0.866, 95%CI=0.779-0.963), satisfaction with child relationships (satisfaction: OR=0.266, 95%CI=0.218-0.324), smoking (OR=1.131, 95%CI=1.014-1.263), alcohol consumption (OR=0.873, 95%CI=0.795-0.959), nighttime sleep duration (6-<8 h: OR=0.539, 95%CI=0.493-0.590; ≥8 h: OR=0.443, 95%CI=0.396-0.495), BADL (damaged: OR=1.875, 95%CI=1.692-2.077), IADL (damaged: OR=2.251, 95%CI=2.030-2.496), number of chronic diseases (2 types: OR=1.202, 95%CI=1.076-1.342; 3 types: OR=1.452, 95%CI=1.289-1.636; ≥ 4 types: OR=1.954, 95%CI=1.749-2.183) were the influencing factors of depression symptoms in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases (P<0.05) . Conclusion The incidence of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases is 40.7%, and the situation is not optimistic. Their depression is influenced by various factors. Healthcare institutions and policymakers should pay attention to their mental health and take targeted measures from personal, family, community, and other aspects to improve.