Evaluation of frequency of depression in a subset of population with idiopathic parkinsonism in a tertiary care hospital

Aijaz Ali,Meraj Fatima,Muhammad Sohaib Asghar,Samar Iltaf,Dileep Kumar,Shafqat Hussain Mahar,Saira Abbas

doi:10.37897/rjn.2021.3.17

Abstract

Objectives. To determine the frequency of depression in patients with idiopathic parkinsonism presenting to a tertiary care Hospital in Karachi. Material and methods. This case study was conducted at the neurology department Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi (JPMC). The duration of the study was six months from 22nd January 2019 to 2nd June 2019. A total of 114 patients of parkinsonism (idiopathic Parkinson’s disease) were included in this study. Patients were assured of confidentiality. They were given questionnaire with Beck depression inventory while waiting in the neurology outpatient clinic. Questionnaire was taken back after 25 minutes. Patient score more than 9 was diagnosed as depression. The identified depressed patient was offered treatment. Results. Frequency of depression in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease was observed in 48.25% (55/114) cases. Conclusions. It is concluded that our study indicates the burden of depression in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. However, even with stable or mild deficit in motor function, the wide prevalence of depression indicates that it should be suspected and treated. Over the past several years, systematic studies of depression and its treatment have contributed significantly to this most challenging psychiatric problem in PD. Hence, there is a need of policy for screening and prompt treatment of such patients so they could lead to enhance quality of life.

Highlights

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in progressive extrapyramidal motor dysfunction primarily related to loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal function
PD patients suffer from a variety of non-motor symptoms (NMSs), including significant changes in emotional wellbeing that deleteriously impact their quality of life [2]
Frequency of depression in patients with idiopathic parkinsonism according to duration of parkinsonism is presented in Table 3 which is insignificant (p = 0.54)

Summary

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in progressive extrapyramidal motor dysfunction primarily related to loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal function. Non-motor symptoms (NMSs) in PD are common and were recognized by Parkinson himself [1]. He referred to urinary incontinence, constipation, sleep disturbance and delirium. PD patients suffer from a variety of NMSs, including significant changes in emotional wellbeing that deleteriously impact their quality of life [2]. O’Sullivan et al attempted to correlate NMSs in PD by reviewing medical histories of pathologically identified patients. Twenty-one percent of patient presented with NMSs including pain, urinary dysfunction, depression, and anxiety [3].

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Conclusion