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A One-Year Follow-Up Study of Depression in Dementia Sufferers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

C. G. Ballard ,
A. Patel ,
M. Solis ,
K. Lowe  and
G. Wilcock
C. G. Ballard*
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Newcastle General Hospital
A. Patel
Affiliation:
Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Birmingham B15 2Q2
M. Solis
Affiliation:
Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry CV2 2DX
K. Lowe
Affiliation:
Ulffculmne Clinic, Birmingham
G. Wilcock
Affiliation:
Frenchay Hospital, Bristol BS16 1LE
*
Dr C. G. Ballard, Medical Research Council, Newcastle General Hospital, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE
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Abstract

Background

Little data are available about the course or incidence of depression in dementia sufferers.

Method

Monthly follow-up data over one year is reported regarding depression in a cohort of 124 dementia sufferers. Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM–III–R criteria. Depression was assessed with the Cornell Depression Scale and diagnosed according to RDC criteria. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the CAMCOG.

Results

Eighty-nine of the 124 patients completed the follow-up. The annual incidence rates of RDC major depression and RDC minor depression were 10.6% and 29.8%, respectively. Twenty per cent of patients with depression experienced these symptoms for six months or longer. Patients with vascular dementia were significantly more likely to experience three or more months of depression than patients with other dementias. RDC minor depression was highly persistent among 23.8% of sufferers.

Conclusions

Depression is persistent in patients with vascular dementia. Some patients with minor depression have a dysthymia-like disorder.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 3 , March 1996 , pp. 287 - 291
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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