Abstract
BACKGROUND: Depression is common among older adults with cataracts and is associated with significant functional impairment. However, the complex interrelationships among different depression symptoms are often overlooked by conventional mood disorders research based on total scores of depression measures. This study examined the interrelationships between different depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in older adults with cataracts based on a national survey. By analyzing the key depressive symptoms related to QoL in this vulnerable population, the study aimed to identify potential critical treatment targets. METHODS: In this study, the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version were used to measure depressive symptoms and QoL respectively. In the network analysis, Expected Influence was used to identify the central symptoms, and a flow network model was used to examine the symptoms that directly affected QoL. RESULTS: A total of 1683 participants were included in the analysis. Economic status was the only identified risk factor for depression in older adults with cataracts. The most central symptoms in the depression network were "Feeling blue", "Everything was an effort", and "Inability to get going". The flow network indicated that QoL had the strongest direct connections with "Unhappiness", "Sleep disturbances" and "Feeling blue". CONCLUSIONS: Depression was found to be common among older adults with cataracts. To mitigate the negative impact of depression on QoL, psychosocial interventions targeting the most central symptoms and those directly related to QoL should be prioritized.