The influence of subcortical ischemic lesions on cognitive function and quality of life in late life depression.
OBJECTIVE
Subcortical ischemic lesions (SIL) are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of late life depression. The present study examined the influence of SIL on cognitive function and quality of life in elderly Koreans with major depressive disorder (MDD).


METHODS
MDD patients (n=86) underwent CT scans and were classified as having SIL if they had a score of 2 or above on age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale. Demographic data, psychiatric, medical history, neuropsychological test, quality of life, and depressive symptomatology were compared between MDD patients with and without SIL.


RESULTS
SIL with grade 2 or above were found in deep white matter of 22 (25.6%) depressed patients and in basal ganglia of 9 (10.5%) depressed patients. Depressed patients with deep white matter lesions showed poor performance on MMSE-KC and decreased quality of life, particularly in physical function and physical role limitation, as compared to depressed patients without deep white matter lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support that SIL may cause general cognitive dysfunction and poor physical health. More attention should be paid to detection and management of SIL in late life depression in clinical setting.
Department of Psychiatry, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jejudo, Republic of Korea.
Na Ri
NR
Kang
Moon Doo
MD
Kim
Chang In
CI
Lee
Young Sook
YS
Kwak
Kuk Myung
KM
Choi
Hyu Jong
HJ
Im
Joon Hyuk
JH
Park
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea