Association between frailty and depression in older adults with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Frailty and depression frequently co-occur in older patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and are each associated with adverse outcomes. However, the strength and nature of their association in this population have not been systematically quantified. Methods: statistic. Subgroup analyses were planned by region, study design and assessment tool. Results: = 74%). Conclusion: Frailty and depression are significantly associated in older adults with CHD, supporting integrated screening approaches. However, given the predominance of cross-sectional data, high heterogeneity, and limited cohort evidence, prospective studies are needed to establish temporality and better inform causal inference. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251036929, PROSPERO (CRD420Ò51036929).