Occurrence of depressive symptoms in Shy-Drager syndrome

Wk investigated the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms among pat ients with Shy-Drager Syndrome (SDS) and correlated depression with the ext ent of the patients' disability. Data were collected from 15 patients and t heir spouse caregivers through a mailed questionnaire. The patients were as ked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire, while ca regivers were asked to complete the self-assessment Parkinson's Disease Dis ability Scale and The Northwestern University Disability Scale for Parkinso n's Disease. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson-Product moment correlations. The prevalence of depressive sympt oms was 85.7%; 28.6% of SDS patients scored in the moderately to severely d epressed range. There was no significant correlation between the severity o f depressive symptoms and disability (r=0.02, p=0.94) and the ability to pe rform activities of daily living (r=0.0, p=1.0). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with SDS is common. The p atient's level of depression does not correlate with physical disability. P harmacologic management and interventions aimed at increasing active coping methods should improve quality of life.