White matter hyperintensities in elderly patients with late-onset and early-onset depression: a comparative study

Abstract

Background Depression in late life is associated with subtle irreversible cognitive impairment, subtle structural brain damage, and a high frequency of white matter and other lesions, on visualization with MRI. Objectives The objective of this article is to explore the role of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in elderly patients with depression. A total of 80 elderly patients with depression were recruited from the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic of Psychiatry and Addiction Prevention Hospital, Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University. They were divided into two groups according to the age of onset of depression: late-onset group [late-onset depression (LOD)] and early-onset group (early-onset depression). Patients and methods This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional, comparative study with consecutive referral. The patients were subjected to MRI of the brain to assess WMH using modified Fazekas score, Hamilton depression rating scale, and Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination revised. Results The mean total score of modified Fazekas score is significantly higher in the LOD group than in the early-onset depression group, and the periventricular WMH are significantly higher in the LOD. Conclusion WMH are more associated with LOD in elderly patients.