Mood improvement reduces memory complaints in depressed patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to examine associations between memory complaints, cognitive performance and mood in 174 adult, clinically depressed, neurologically healthy patients at baseline and during six months of follow-up.


METHODS
Subjective memory disturbance was assessed using the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MCQ). Levels of cognitive function, including memory, were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Mood and personality traits were assessed using rating scales, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the 90-item Symptom Check List (SCL-90).


RESULTS
At baseline, patients complaining of memory disturbances had higher BDI and HDRS scores than patients not complaining of memory problems. They also did less well in objective memory performances but not in other cognitive functions. Complaints of memory problems decreased during the follow-up. This change was associated with mood improvement and with reductions in other mental symptoms but not with changes in cognitive performance. In logistic regression analysis factors independently associated with MCQ change were age (OR 0.96) and BDI change (OR 1.06).


CONCLUSIONS
Subjective memory problems usually decline if depression is alleviated.
Antikainen
R
R
Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. risto.antikainen@kuh.fi
Hänninen
T
T
Honkalampi
K
K
Hintikka
J
J
Koivumaa-Honkanen
H
H
Tanskanen
A
A
Viinamäki
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014888:Wechsler Scales
D000928:Antidepressive Agents