Objective: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the frequency of depression in our Parkinson’s disease patients, to describe the relationship of depression to demographic parameters and motor function and specially the stage of the disease.

Background: For decades, Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been considered as a neurodegenerative disorder of pure motor expression.  Currently, it has been shown that an association with non motor symptoms (NMS) is frequent. Depression is the most common NMS in Parkinson’s disease, with a prevalence that varies widely across studies (2.7% to 90%). Despite its frequency, it is often under diagnosed and therefore inadequately treated. The pathophysiology of depression in PD is multifactorial, and may include dysfunction of dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems but is still poorly understood.

Method: The authors report a prospective study on depression, in 115 patients with PD diagnosed over a period of 18 months. The study was conducted in the neurology department of Mohammed VI university hospital of Marrakesh. Patients were administered a detailed questionnaire by a neurologist, and depression was diagnosed using the BDI (Beck depression inventory).

Results: Depression was the most frequent NMS in our patients (75.6%), with a higher prevalence in females (66.7% vs 54.2%). We also found that depression was more frequent in patients with young-onset PD and in the late stage of the disease.

Conclusion: PD is a complex neurodegenerative pathology with a motor and non-motor symptoms, including depression. It is important to consider the frequency of depression in Parkinson’s disease, in order to optimize its diagnosis and treatment.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/depression-in-parkinsons-diseaese-experience-of-the-neurology-department-in-mohammed-vi-third-level-university-hospital/