The effect of depression on motor function and disease severity of Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Approximately 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience symptoms of depression. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of depression on disease severity, motor function and other phenotypic characteristics of PD.


METHODS
We studied 32 PD patients with major depression (PD-D) according to the DSM-IV criteria and 32 PD patients with no depression (PD-C) matched for gender, age of onset and duration.


RESULTS
Major depression in PD patients was associated with increased disease severity, poorer motor function and worse performance in the activities of daily living as measured by UPDRS scores. Furthermore, there was an association of depression with the severity of bradykinesia and axial rigidity.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression in PD can have a profound negative impact on a patient's sense of wellbeing and motor functioning. Therefore, PD patients should be routinely and carefully screened for the presence of depression and appropriate management should be considered. Larger studies on the subject are warranted.
Papapetropoulos
Spiridon
S
Department of Neurology, Medical School of Patras, Greece; Department of Neurology, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Room 4004, 1501 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA. spapapetropoulos@med.miami.edu
Ellul
John
J
Argyriou
Andreas A
AA
Chroni
Elisabeth
E
Lekka
Nicoletta P
NP
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014202:Tremor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology