Recognition and treatment of depression in Parkinson's disease.
Depression in Parkinson's disease (PD) is common, but little is known about its recognition and treatment. The authors report the antidepressant experience (N = 100) and outcome of depression assessment (n = 77) of a convenience sample of patients at a PD center. Subjects were assessed with a psychiatric and neurological battery, and information was gathered on depression treatment. One third (34%) of subjects met criteria for a depressive disorder, and two thirds (65%) of them were not currently receiving antidepressant treatment. Approximately one quarter (23%) of subjects were taking an antidepressant, but almost half (47%) of them still met criteria for a depressive disorder. Few antidepressant users with persistent depression had received either antidepressant treatment at dosages within the highest recommended range (11%) or more than 1 antidepressant trial (33%). Most depressed patients are untreated, and half of antidepressant users remain depressed, suggesting that even when delivered, treatment is often inadequate or ineffective.
Weintraub
Daniel
D
Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA. weintrau@mail.med.upenn.edu
Moberg
Paul J
PJ
Duda
John E
JE
Katz
Ira R
IR
Stern
Matthew B
MB
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents