A new study has revealed that a gradual decline in the ability to perform daily tasks independently may be associated with an increased risk of death, while symptoms of depression may explain only a limited part of this relationship.
The study, conducted in South Korea, included 6,033 individuals aged 45 and older and monitored their ability to perform tasks such as cooking, washing clothes, using transportation, managing finances, and taking medications.
The results showed that individuals who experienced an increasing decline in their ability to perform these tasks faced a death risk nearly double that of the group whose restrictions remained low and stable, after accounting for other factors.
During the follow-up, 187 out of 276 individuals in the group experiencing an increasing decline died, compared to 1,067 out of 5,757 in the other group.
The researchers noted that symptoms of depression may account for about 16% of the relationship between the decline in the ability to perform daily tasks and the increased risk of death.
The study confirmed that it does not establish a direct causal relationship, as other factors such as dementia, physical frailty, malnutrition, and social isolation may contribute to the decline in the ability to perform tasks and the emergence of depression symptoms.
The researchers concluded that observing increasing difficulties in performing daily tasks may help detect health or psychological issues early and provide appropriate support.