Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Before Diagnosis of Dementia

Neuropsychiatric symptoms, depressive symptoms in particular, are common in patients with dementia but whether depressive symptoms in adulthood increases the risk for dementia remains the subject of debate.

To characterize the trajectory of depressive symptoms over 28 years prior to dementia diagnosis to determine whether depressive symptoms carry risk for dementia. Design, Setting, and Participants: Up to 10 308 persons, aged 35 to 55 years, were recruited to the Whitehall II cohort study in 1985, with the end of follow-up in 2015. Data analysis for this study in a UK general community was conducted from October to December 2016. Exposures: Depressive symptoms assessed on 9 occasions between 1985 and 2012 using the General Health Questionnaire. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence of dementia (n = 322) between 1985 and 2015.