Depression and Parkinson's disease

Objective. Depression occurs more often in Parkinson's disease (PD) than in other chronic illnesses with important disability. The relationship between the depression level and some clinical features of PD remains controversial. Frequency of depression in these patients has been estimated and relationship between this symptom with some clinical features of PD. Methods. A diagnosis of PD was taken according to the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria. Depression status was rated with Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results. Sixty-two patients (56%), 24 male and 38 female, were depressed at the time of study. The frequency of depression was higher in female (61% vs 39%, p < 0.05) and younger patients with a significant difference (p < 0.001). 53.4% Of the patients became depressed previous of beginning PD symptoms, being 71% female (p < 0.05). Patients with depression had had PD longer than patients without depression (7.7 vs 5.3 years old, respectively; p < 0.05). Patients with depression were found to be more affected on motor rating scales (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Depression was found in 56% of PD patients, with female predominance (61%). Frequency of depression was higher in younger patients. Depression was associated with duration of PD and an inverse relationship between depression and cognitive status was found.