DEPRESSION IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

Objective: The authors assessed the Prevalence of major depression (DS M-III-R) among Parkinson's disease patients and compared this rate wit h that of matched physically disabled subjects. Method: The 30-item Ge neral Health Questionnaire and measures of physical disability were co mpleted by all patients in Dunedin, New Zealand, identified as having Parkinson's disease. Patients scoring over 5 on the General Health Que stionnaire were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R-Non-Patient Version. Each patient living in the community w as matched for age, sex, and level of physical disability with a compa rison subject who did not have a neurological condition. Results: Of t he 73 subjects with Parkinson's disease who agreed to participate and were judged not to be demented, 34.2% scored higher than 5 on the 30-i tem General Health Questionnaire, but only 2.7% met the criteria for m ajor depression. No difference from the comparison group was found. Co nclusions: The prevalence of major depression in patients with Parkins on's disease may be no greater than in age- and sex-matched physically disabled persons.