Association between mold exposure and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults: Results from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

Background: Depressive symptoms (DS) are recognized as one of the most prevalent mental health disorders among older adults. Previous research indicates that mold exposure (ME) may serve as a significant risk factor for DS in this population. However, further investigation is necessary to elucidate this relationship, particularly within the context of the Chinese elderly demographic. Methods: This study utilized data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2018 wave. Logistic regression model and a 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) method were applied to explore the relationship between ME and DS. Results: Among the 4129 older adults from China included in this study, the prevalence of DS was 25.09 %, while ME accounted for 13.60 %. In Model 2, after adjusting for all covariates, ME emerged as a significant risk factor for DS among older Chinese adults (OR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.01-1.58, P = 0.039). This association was further corroborated through PSM (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.07-1.63, P = 0.009). Interaction analysis indicated that education, indoor ventilation frequency, vitamin supplement, hypertension, and hunger in childhood significantly corrected the relationship between ME and DS (P for interaction < 0.05). Two sensitivity analysis reinforced the robustness and reliability of these findings. Conclusion: This study found that ME is associated with higher DS prevalence among Chinese older adults. Our results highlight the importance of considering environmental factors like ME in DS assessment. For clinical practice, clinicians should take environmental factors into account when assessing and treating DS in older adults. For health policymakers, it underscores the need to develop policies to improve living conditions and reduce ME among the elderly to promote healthy aging.