Estimating causal effects of physical disability and number of comorbid chronic diseases on risk of depressive symptoms in an elderly Chinese population: a machine learning analysis of cross-sectional baseline data from the China longitudinal ageing social survey.

This study provides evidence that the presence of one or more functional limitations affects the occurrence of depressive symptoms among elderly people. The findings of our study are of value in developing programmes that are designed to identify elderly individuals who have physical disabilities or comorbid chronic diseases to provide early intervention.