Depression in Myotonic Dystrophy type 1: clinical and neuronal correlates.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of depression in Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with DM1 and 47 subjects in a clinical contrast group, consisting of other neuromuscular disorders, including Spinal muscular atrophy, Limb girdle muscle atrophy and Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We aimed to establish whether different factors associated with DM1 correlated with ratings in the BDI.


RESULTS
Signs of a clinical depression were prevalent in 32% of the patients with DM1, which was comparable with ratings in the clinical contrast group. The depressive condition was mild to moderate in both groups. In DM1, a longer duration of clinical symptoms was associated with lower scores on the BDI and higher educational levels were correlated with higher scores on depression. We also found a negative association with brain white matter lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate significantly more DM1 patients than normative collectives showing signs of a clinical depression. The depressive condition is however mild to moderate and data indicate that the need for intervention is at hand preferentially early during the disease process.
Winblad
Stefan
S
Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. stefan.winblad@vgregion.se
Jensen
Christer
C
Månsson
Jan-Eric
JE
Samuelsson
Lena
L
Lindberg
Christopher
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D049288:Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D020391:Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult