Prevalence of depression in Parkinson’s disease patients in Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with cognitive and psychiatric disturbances including depression, anxiety, psychotic symptoms and sleep disturbances. These psychiatric manifestations have a negative impact on disease course and the medical management of PD patients. Major depression has a greater negative impact on patients’ quality of life than abnormal motor function, and is associated with faster cognitive decline and progression of motor deficits. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of depression in PD outpatients in Ethiopia. We determined the age range in which depression in PD patients is most common, the most common symptoms of depression, and the epidemiologic confounders associated with depression in PD patients.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional point prevalence study of all PD patients attending the follow-up clinics of the departments of neurology at Black Lion Teaching and Zewuditu Memorial Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 2013 to August 2013. We collected information using a structured questionnaire which assessed demographic information, clinical history, and neurologic function.ResultOf the 101 patients surveyed, the prevalence of depression was 58/101(57.4%). Of these patients, 1 of 58(1.7%) was on antidepressant medications. These low proportions likely indicate a low index of suspicion and under treatment of depression in PD outpatients.ConclusionIn Ethiopian PD outpatients, depression is under recognized and undertreated. We recommend routine use of screening tools. In those who screen positive for depression, treatment is warranted. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, and to increase our understanding of specific signs and symptoms of depression in the context of PD.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40734-014-0010-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Depression and anxiety among patients with Parkinson’s disease: frequency, risk factors, and impact on quality of life

“…This is feasible with respect to poor quality of life, dependence on others, restricted daily activities, hindering financial burden and inability to cope with regular medical follow-up and costly treatments, etc. This was consistent with the studies of Herath and colleagues and Worku and colleagues [49,50], where the low SES was a risk factor for depression among patients with PD.…”

Epidemiology of Depression and Associated Factors among Asthma Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Depression was found to be higher (43.4%) in tuberculosis, 15.4% in diabetes, and 38.94% in HIV patients, 11.8% in pregnant women, and 28.5% among geriatric population [ 21 – 25 ]. Further, the prevalence of depression was significantly higher among Parkinson patients 57.4% [ 26 ]. In the present study, the odds of depression among asthma patients with cardiovascular comorbidity were six times higher than those without comorbidities.…”

Patterns and Predictors of Depression Treatment among Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease and Depression in Ambulatory Care Settings in the United States

“…Antidepressant medication [ 13 ] and psychotherapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) [ 14 ], have shown to decrease depression scores and improve the quality of life among individuals with dPD. Unfortunately, the majority of individuals with dPD are untreated [ 15 – 17 ], and even in the case of treatment, up to 50% may still remain depressed, suggesting inadequate or ineffective treatment [ 18 ]. To the best of our knowledge, no study is available to date that examines the depression treatment pattern and predictors at the United States (US) national-level among older adults with dPD.…”