Dataset Information

Changes in the mode of travel to work and the severity of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal analysis of UK Biobank.

ABSTRACT: Although commuting provides an opportunity for incorporating physical activity into daily routines, little is known about the effect of active commuting upon depressive symptoms. This study aimed to determine whether changes in commute mode are associated with differences in the severity of depressive symptoms in working adults. Commuters were selected from the UK Biobank cohort if they completed ?2 assessment centre visits between 2006 and 2016. Modes of travel to work were self-reported at each visit. Participants were categorised as 'inactive' (car only) or 'active' commuters (any other mode(s), including walking, cycling and public transport). Transitions between categories were defined between pairs of visits. The severity of depressive symptoms was defined using the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Scores were derived between zero and six. Higher values indicate more severe symptoms. Separate analyses were conducted in commuters who were asymptomatic (zero score) and symptomatic (non-zero score) at baseline. The analytical sample comprised 5474 participants aged 40-75 at baseline with a mean follow-up of 4.65?years. Asymptomatic commuters who transitioned from inactive to active commuting reported less severe symptoms at follow-up than those who remained inactive (? -0.10, 95% CI [-0.20, 0.00]; N?=?3145). A similar but non-significant relationship is evident among commuters with pre-existing symptoms (? -0.60, 95% CI [-1.27, 0.08]; N?=?1078). After adjusting for transition category, longer commutes at baseline were associated with worse depressive symptoms at follow-up among symptomatic participants. Shifting from exclusive car use towards more active commuting may help prevent and attenuate depressive symptoms in working adults.

SUBMITTER: Knott CS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5999356 | biostudies-other | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Changes in the mode of travel to work and the severity of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal analysis of UK Biobank.

Knott Craig S CS Panter Jenna J Foley Louise L Ogilvie David D

Preventive medicine 20180328

Although commuting provides an opportunity for incorporating physical activity into daily routines, little is known about the effect of active commuting upon depressive symptoms. This study aimed to determine whether changes in commute mode are associated with differences in the severity of depressive symptoms in working adults. Commuters were selected from the UK Biobank cohort if they completed ≥2 assessment centre visits between 2006 and 2016. Modes of travel to work were self-reported at eac ...[more]

PMID: 29604327

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND.:Cognitive impairment associated with lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) is well-supported by meta-analytic studies, but population-based estimates remain scarce. Previous UK Biobank studies have only shown limited evidence of cognitive differences related to probable MDD. Using updated cognitive and clinical assessments in UK Biobank, this study investigated population-level differences in cognitive functioning associated with lifetime MDD. METHODS.:Associations between lifetime MDD and cognition (performance on six tasks and general cognitive functioning [g-factor]) were investigated in UK Biobank (N-range 7,457-14,836, age 45-81 years, 52% female), adjusting for demographics, education, and lifestyle. Lifetime MDD classifications were based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Within the lifetime MDD group, we additionally investigated relationships between cognition and (a) recurrence, (b) current symptoms, (c) severity of psychosocial impairment (while symptomatic), and (d) concurrent psychotropic medication use. RESULTS.:Lifetime MDD was robustly associated with a lower g-factor (? = -0.10, PFDR = 4.7 × 10-5), with impairments in attention, processing speed, and executive functioning (? ? 0.06). Clinical characteristics revealed differential profiles of cognitive impairment among case individuals; those who reported severe psychosocial impairment and use of psychotropic medication performed worse on cognitive tests. Severe psychosocial impairment and reasoning showed the strongest association (? = -0.18, PFDR = 7.5 × 10-5). CONCLUSIONS.:Findings describe small but robust associations between lifetime MDD and lower cognitive performance within a population-based sample. Overall effects were of modest effect size, suggesting limited clinical relevance. However, deficits within specific cognitive domains were more pronounced in relation to clinical characteristics, particularly severe psychosocial impairment.

Dataset Information

Changes in the mode of travel to work and the severity of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal analysis of UK Biobank.

Publications

Changes in the mode of travel to work and the severity of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal analysis of UK Biobank.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets