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Depression in subjects with and without dementia: a comparison using GMS-AGECAT
Joost G E Janzing1, Chris Hooijer, Martin A van 't Hof
1Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.janzing@czzopsy.azn.nl
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|January 22, 2002
Summary
Dementia affects the profile of depressive symptoms, not overall depression rates. Elderly individuals with dementia showed more motivation symptoms but fewer mood symptoms compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Previous studies comparing depression in individuals with and without dementia have yielded inconclusive results.
- Confounding factors are suspected to influence the observed differences in depression rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of depressive syndromes and symptoms between elderly subjects with and without dementia.
- To identify specific depressive symptom profiles associated with dementia, adjusting for potential confounders.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 91 subjects with dementia and 110 controls without dementia, recruited from elderly care facilities.
- Utilized the AGECAT criteria to assess depressive syndromes, subsyndromes, and depressive symptom factors.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for potential confounding variables.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in the overall prevalence of AGECAT depressive syndromes, subsyndromes, or depressive symptoms between the two groups.
- Subjects with dementia exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of 'motivation symptoms'.
- A trend towards a lower prevalence of 'mood symptoms' was observed in subjects with dementia.
Conclusions:
- Dementia appears to alter the specific profile of depressive symptomatology rather than the overall diagnostic measures of depression (AGECAT syndromes).
- The findings highlight a distinct pattern of depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly individuals with dementia, characterized by increased motivation-related symptoms.