OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between anxious-depression symptoms with cognitive change and prevalent mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.

METHODS: Participants were enrolled in the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) and the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Anxiety and depression were measured at Visit 1 using the 10-item Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, with latent class analysis applied to derive anxious-depression phenotypes based on items from both scales. Cognitive tests were completed at Visits 1 and 2 (average 7-years follow-up), where change was assessed using a change index between Visit 1 and 2, and function was assessed at Visit 2. Prevalent MCI was assessed using National Institute on Aging diagnostic criteria. Regression models were used to investigate the association of anxious-depression phenotypes with cognitive function, change, and MCI.

RESULTS: In 6140 participants (mean age = 56.5 ± 8.1-years), three anxious-depression profiles were identified: low (62 %), moderate (30 %), and high (8 %). All three profiles were associated with cognitive function at Visit 2, where high and moderate phenotypes were associated with lower cognitive scores compared to low. Moderate and high anxious-depression phenotypes were associated with greater prevalence of MCI compared to low (OR [95 % CI] = 1.64 [1.25; 2.16] and OR = 1.62 [1.12; 2.33], respectively). We found no associations between cognitive change and anxious-depression phenotype.

DISCUSSION: Co-occurring elevated anxiety and depression symptoms were associated with lower cognitive function and increased prevalence MCI 7-years later, but not overall changes in cognitive function between Visit 1 and Visit 2.