Depression in Parkinson's disease: study of 60 cases

Depressão na doença de Parkinson: estudo de 60 casos

DEPRESSION IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: STUDY OF 60 CASES (ABSTRACT)^*. THESIS. SÃO PAULO 2001.

ROBERTO CÉSAR PEREIRA DO PRADO^**

Neuropsychiatric disorders, specially depression, are frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD), however these symptoms are often underrecognized by neurologists.The objectives of this study were: 1) to emphasize the need of a better approach to neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD by the neurologists, in order to ensure an early diagnosis and proper treatment of depression. 2) to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the frequency of depression in PD. 3) to study the correlations of depression in PD with other variables, discussing the neurophysiological mechanisms of depression in PD.

Sixty patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for PD (primary), 56.6% male, non demented, ages ranging from 44 to 85 years old, in different stages of the disease (Hoehn & Yahr modified), were submitted to the UPDRS-III, V and VI, Clinical Interview Schedule – revised edition (CIS-R), a semi-structured interview in order to detect neuropsychiatric symptoms and the Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D), applied by the examiner/author.

The most prevalent psychiatric symptoms were sleep disorder (40%), depression + depressive ideas (38.33%), worry (30%), anxiety (25%), obsessions (23.33%), concentration (18.33%), irritability (11.66%), panic (8.33%), compulsions (5%), phobias (5%). There was not significant correlation between depression and: sex, age of onset, current age and cognitive function. A significant correlation was found between depression and UPDRS-III, V and VI. A significant correlation was also found between depression, anxiety and irritability.

The frequency of depression in PD in this study was arround 40% and had its own characteristics. The utilization of structured interviews and evaluation scales is essential for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of depression in PD.

KEY WORDS: Parkinson's disease, depression.

**Address: Rua Celso Oliva 321 / 301, 49020-090 Aracaju SE, Brasil.

*

Depressão na doença de Parkinson: estudo de 60 casos (Resumo). Tese de Doutorado, Universidade de São Paulo (Área: Neurologia). Orientador: Egberto Reis Barbosa.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  14 Jan 2003
• Date of issue
  Dec 2002