Depression, Not Osteoarthritis, Linked to Cognitive Impairments Among Older Adults

Osteoarthritis (OA) is not directly correlated with cognitive decline, but depression may play a mediating role in linking OA to cognitive performance impairments, according to study results published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. Previous studies have hinted at a potential connection between OA and dementia, but findings were often constrained by small sample sizes, confounding factors, and the possibility of reverse causality. Researchers used data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2011-2014 cycles) to evaluate the association between OA and cognitive function among adults aged 60 years or older.