Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale in essential tremor: a population-based study in three Spanish communities.
Essential tremor (ET) is associated with both functional disability and depression. Each could contribute to a poor sense of well-being and low morale. We hypothesized that morale would be lower in ET cases than controls. Using a population-based, cross-sectional design, morale was assessed in 187 ET cases and 561 matched controls living in three communities in central Spain using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) (range = 0 [low morale]-17), which included three-dimensions of psychological well-being: agitation, lonely dissatisfaction, and attitude toward own aging. The PGCMS score was lower in ET cases than controls (9.41 +/- 3.21 vs. 10.39 +/- 2.92, P < 0.001), as were the Agitation subscore (3.17 +/- 1.71 vs. 3.78 +/- 1.67, P< 0.001) and Lonely Dissatisfaction subscore (3.75 +/- 1.34 vs. 4.02 +/- 1.24, P < 0.05). Nearly one-half of the ET cases were classified as having low morale compared with only one-third of controls (P = 0.006). In a linear regression analysis adjusting for demographic factors and multiple comorbid conditions, ET cases had a lower log PGCMS score than controls (P < 0.001). Exclusion of participants on antidepressant medication did not change the results. Our results indicate that morale is significantly lower in community-dwelling ET cases than in matched controls. This lower morale could in part be a proxy for mild, untreated depression. It therefore seems important to detect and then possibly treat this problem to improve the psychological well-being of patients with this disease.
Louis
Elan D
ED
G.H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. EDL2@columbia.edu
Benito-León
Julián
J
Bermejo-Pareja
Félix
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009013:Morale; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents