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[Sickle cell disease and depression: preliminary study using the Hamilton rating scale for depression]
A Segbena1, A Buguet, A Sangare
1Service d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lomé, Togo.
Medecine Tropicale : Revue Du Corps De Sante Colonial
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Sickle-cell disease patients may not have clinical depression but show increased mental dullness and agitation. Pentoxyfylline treatment may help manage these psychological effects in sickle-cell disease carriers.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Prolonged REM sleep latency is a known marker for depression.
- Previous research suggests a link between sickle-cell disease and depressive symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate depressive disturbances in sickle-cell disease patients.
- To assess the psychological impact of the sickle-cell gene.
Main Methods:
- Hamilton rating scale for depression (17 items) administered to 61 subjects (30 homozygotes, 31 carriers).
- Analysis of variance used to evaluate depressive parameters.
- Effects of vasodilator drugs (pentoxyfylline, cinepazide maleate) examined.
Main Results:
- No subjects met the threshold for moderate depression (score ≥ 18).
- Increased mental dullness, agitation, and somatization disorder observed.
- Dullness correlated with anemia extent and sickle-cell crises.
- Pentoxyfylline showed a soothing effect on agitation; cinepazide maleate did not.
- Women reported more insomnia and somatic anxiety; men showed higher mental dullness.
Conclusions:
- The sickle-cell gene is associated with psychological repercussions on depressive parameters, not frank depression.
- Patients with sickle-cell disease may benefit from pentoxyfylline treatment for agitation and related symptoms.