Prevalence and incidence of major depressive disorder in Alzheimer's disease: findings from two databases.
BACKGROUND
Reports on the frequency of major depression in Alzheimer's disease are conflicting, some suggesting that it is frequent, others suggesting that it is uncommon.


METHODS
We examined the prevalence and incidence of symptom clusters meeting criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) in two large series of cases diagnosed prospectively by NINCDS/ADRDA criteria as probable or possible Alzheimer's disease. Standard DSM-III-R criteria were employed at one site, the CERAD modification of DSM-III-R criteria at the other. Both sites required the presence of depressed mood on direct patient examination at the time of initial evaluation in order to meet criteria for MDD.


RESULTS
At the center using standard DSM-III-R criteria (n = 329), there was a 0.9% prevalence of symptom clusters meeting criteria for MDD. At the center using the CERAD modification (n = 586), MDD prevalence was 4.8%. Incidence rates at both centers were below 2% per year over 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that DSM-III-R MDD is not common in AD patients.
Weiner
Myron F
MF
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070, USA. myron.weiner@UTSouthwestern.edu
Doody
Rachelle S
RS
Sairam
Ramesh
R
Foster
Barbara
B
Liao
Tso-yu
TY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012015:Reference Standards; D012042:Registries; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology