Depressed Mood Screening from the Kihon Checklist and Higher-Level Functional Capacity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

The purpose of this pilot cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between depressed mood, based on the Kihon Checklist (KCL), and higher-level functional capacity in communitydwelling older adults. We analyzed 112 older adults (age 78.2 ± 7.3 years, 91 women, 81.3%) recruited from local senior centers and through local newspaper advertisements in Ibaraki City. Depressed mood was assessed using the depressed domain of the KCL. The Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) was used to assess higher-level functional capacity. Age, sex, cognitive function, current medical history, number of medications taken, certification of needed support, grip strength, and walking speed were assessed. The two groups were compared based on the presence or absence of depressed mood. Factors associated with depressed mood were analyzed using age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses. Thirty-three (29.5%) participants were found to have depressed mood. The median JST-IC was 10.0. Participants with depressed mood were significantly older and had lower JST-IC (total and daily life management), cognitive function, and physical function and more medication than those without. Logistic regression analysis showed no significant factors associated with depressed mood. Further investigation is needed in the future using simple depressive mood screening from the KCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]