title: Prevalence and incidence of major depressive disorder in Alzheimer's disease: findings from two databases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070, USA. myron.weiner@UTSouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Myron F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Rachelle S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Doody
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sairam
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Tso-yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: 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