Predictors of depressive symptoms in persons with Alzheimer's disease.
In a 4-year longitudinal study, we evaluated factors related to the development of depressive symptoms in 410 persons with Alzheimer's disease. We measured depressive symptoms annually by using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale, which we completed by using structured interviews with family members. On the basis of informant ratings of premorbid personality, we associated neuroticism with a higher rate of depressive symptoms, particularly mood disturbances. We associated greater cognitive impairment with a small reduction in mood symptoms and a modest increase in somatic symptoms. Among demographic variables, somatic symptoms were more common in men and mood symptoms were inversely related to age. Depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease appear to follow a more predictable pattern of expression than previously described.
Gilley
David W
DW
Rush Institute for Healthy Aging and Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. David_Gilley@rush.edu
Wilson
Robert S
RS
Bienias
Julia L
JL
Bennett
David A
DA
Evans
Denis A
DA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012306:Risk; D012803:Sick Role