Practical Geriatrics ›› 2026, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (8): 831-836.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2026.08.015

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Effect of sarcopenia on episodic memory function in patients with late-life depression

GAO Xinyu, KONG Xiaoming, GENG Hao, LYU Siwen   

  1. School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China (GAO Xinyu, KONG Xiaoming);
    Department of Geriatric Psychology, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University/Hefei Fourth People’s Hospital, Hefei 230022, China (GENG Hao, LYU Siwen)
  • Received:2026-01-26 Online:2026-08-20 Published:2026-08-24
  • Contact: KONG Xiaoming, Email: kxm186@126.com

Abstract: Objective To investigate the association between sarcopenia and episodic memory function in patients with late-life depression (LLD). Methods A total of 101 elderly patients with depression were recruited from May 2024 to February 2025. According to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria, the patients were divided into a group with sarcopenia (LLD-S group,n=40) and a group without sarcopenia (LLD-NS group, n=61). The Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Huashan version was used to assess memory function. Sarcopenia indicators including muscle strength and physical function were measured and bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed. Hamilton Depression (HAMD) scale, Hamilton Anxiety(HAMA) scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were applied to evaluate the mental and psychological state. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to evaluate the association between episodic memory function and relevant clinical indicators; And hierarchical linear regression model was constructed to analyze the independent impact of sarcopenia on episodic memory function in LLD patients. Results The LLD-S group exhibited higher age, poorer physical function, more severe depression and anxiety, as well as more pronounced cognitive and memory impairments compared to the LLD-NS group (all P<0.05). In LLD patients, short-delay recall, long-delay recall, and recognition were all negatively correlated with the duration of the five-chair-standing test, as well as HAMD and HAMA scores (P<0.05), while significantly positively correlated with grip strength, calf circumference, and 6-meter walking speed. Hierarchical regression showed that sarcopenia had significant negative effects on long-delay recall (B=-1.36, P=0.001), short-delay recall (B=-1.03, P=0.014), and recognition (B=-1.92, P=0.043). Conclusions Sarcopenia is closely associated with impaired episodic memory function in patients with LLD, and it is an independent risk factor for episodic memory impairment in LLD patients.    

Key words: late-life depression, sarcopenia, episodic memory

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