Depression in Parkinson's disease: clinical-epidemiological correlates and comparison with a controlled group of non-parkinsonian geriatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the frequency and severity of major depression in patients with Parkinson's disease and in individuals older than 60 years without neurological, rheumatological and/or oncological comorbidities.


METHODS
We studied 50 patients with Parkinson's disease older than 60 years and 50 geriatric patients. Subjects with scores of Mini Mental State Examination indicating cognitive impairment were excluded. We used Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases-IV criteria to diagnose major depression and the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory to rate it. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 3 and the Hoehn and Yahr Scale were used to evaluate the motor severity of Parkinson's disease.


RESULTS
Major depression was found in 42% of Parkinson's disease patients and in 10% of the geriatric patients (p < 0.001). The scores of the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were higher in Parkinson's disease patients (p < 0.001). Depressed Parkinson's disease patients had longer duration of Parkinson's disease (p = 0.020) and higher scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 3 (p = 0.029) and the Yahr Scale (p = 0.027).


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency (42%) and severity of major depression were higher in Parkinson's disease patients. Longer duration of Parkinson's disease, higher scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 3 and the Hoehn and Yahr Scale were significantly associated with major depression.
Veiga
Beatriz Azevedo Dos Anjos Godke
BA
Neurology Course, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. bia-anjos@uol.com.br
Borges
Vanderci
V
Silva
Sonia Maria César de Azevedo
SM
Goulart
Fabrício de Oliveira
Fde O
Cendoroglo
Maysa Seabra
MS
Ferraz
Henrique Ballalai
HB
D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales