Finally, a total of 4289 individuals aged 50 years or older from wave 2 to wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe were included in this study. The generalized estimated equation model was used to explore the baseline effect of depression with sarcopenia on long-term cognitive function. Stratified Analyses according to gender, education, region, and family economic level were performed. Sensitivity analyses of wave 5 to wave 8 were conducted to ensure the robustness of the results.

Groups of depression with non-sarcopenia (β = −0.40, 95%CI: −0.59 ~ −0.20, P < 0.001), non-depression with sarcopenia (β = −1.11, 95%CI: −1.91 ~ −0.31, P = 0.007), and depression with sarcopenia (β = −1.19, 95%CI: −1.89 ~ −0.50, P = 0.001) were inversely associated with cognition scores compared with the group of non-depression with non-sarcopenia. Stratified Analysis displayed differences in negative association of depression status with sarcopenia status and cognition. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. Other than numeracy, depression with sarcopenia (β = −1.81, 95%CI: −2.45 ~ −1.18, P < 0.001; β = −10.68, 95%CI: −1.05 ~ −0.31, P < 0.001; β = −0.51, 95%CI: −0.65 ~ −0.37, P < 0.001; β = −0.41, 95%CI: −0.55 ~ −0.27, P < 0.001) were inversely associated with cognitive function, orientation, words list learning test and fluency.

Preliminary depressive sarcopenia appears to increase the risk of cognitive decline. There was a downward trend in total cognitive function. The effect of depression combined with sarcopenia on cognitive function may exist in differences in gender, education, region, and family economic level.