Locomotive syndrome and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study in middle-aged women

Michitaka Kato; Etsuko Ozaki; Daisuke Matsui; Wataru Nakano; Satoko Nakano; Sintaro Ono; Kazuya Kito; Teruhide Koyama

doi:10.1093/mr/road096

Locomotive syndrome and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study in middle-aged women

Mod Rheumatol. 2023 Oct 6:road096. doi: 10.1093/mr/road096. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Michitaka Kato^{1

2}, Etsuko Ozaki², Daisuke Matsui², Wataru Nakano^{1

2}, Satoko Nakano^{1

2}, Sintaro Ono¹, Kazuya Kito¹, Teruhide Koyama²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Shizuoka Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Tokoha University, Shizuoka, Japan.
² Department of Epidemiology for Community Health and Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan.

PMID: 37801366
DOI: 10.1093/mr/road096

Abstract

Objective: Evidence for an association between locomotive syndrome (LS) and depression is lacking in middle-aged women. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between LS severity and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,520 middle-aged women (mean age 52 ± 6 years). LS severity was evaluated using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) questionnaire and motor function test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between depressive symptoms and LS severity, adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Results: LS severity, as evaluated through both questionnaires and motor function tests, was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (SDS ≥ 40 points) in middle-aged women. The relationship between LS and depressive symptoms was only significant when assessed through the GLFS-25 questionnaire rather than the motor function tests. Additionally, a stepwise association was observed between pain severity, as assessed by the GLFS-25, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: LS severity is significantly associated with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged women, suggesting the need for additional mental status assessment in participants with LS and concurrent pain.

Keywords: community; depressive symptoms; locomotive syndrome; middle-aged; women.