The relationship of depression to symptomatology and lesion site in aphasic patients

The prevalence of depression was examined in 54 patients recruited by speech pathologists and separated into four groups according to aphasia type (Broca's vs Wernicke's) and the duration of illness (less than six months vs more than six months). Evaluation of depression was made through questionnaires, completed by the spouse or speech pathologist, and patient interviews. The four groups were similar in demographical variables, in severity of aphasia and in lesion size (from CAT scan analyses). The prevalence of depression for the total sample was low (15%). Univariate analyses (ANOVA) did not show significant differences between the groups on the depression scales. The severity of depression was not correlated with lesion size or location. It was concluded that Wernicke's aphasics do not experience depression less often nor less severely than Broca's aphasics and that the incidence of depression in aphasia is not high. These results are in contrast with those obtained in earlier studies. Reasons for the discrepancies between this and other studies are discussed.