Prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms in older adults with cancer

Introduction: Older adults with cancer are at risk of developing depressive symptoms. However, little is known about the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms in older adults with cancer. Materials and methods: This study examined the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among older adults with cancer in the United States using the data from the 2012 and 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. This analysis included 1799 older adults aged 65 and over with a self-reported diagnosis of cancer. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of depressive symptoms. The main predictors included age, gender, race, education, marital status, chronic conditions, and functional limitations. Results: Results revealed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in older adults with cancer was 14.9%. Results of Poisson regression revealed that greater age, belonging to a race other than White or African American, not being married, presence of more chronic conditions, and higher levels of functional limitations were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Discussion: The prevalence of depressive symptoms is high in older adults with cancer and several factors predict depressive symptoms in this population. Individuals who are at high risk of developing depressive symptoms should be identified and appropriate timely interventions should be initiated to reduce the rates of depressive symptoms in older adults with cancer.