Significant anxiety in combination with depression may represent a
specific depressive subtype in Parkinson's disease (PD). To ascertain the
prevalence of this symptom complex, we administered a self-report survey
and standardized psychological tests that measure anxiety and depression to
164 PD patients and 150 age-matched healthy spouse control subjects. The
reporting of depression in combination with panic/anxiety best
differentiated the two populations (38% vs. 8%). Depression and anxiety
were highly correlated in relationship to clinical features of PD. Our
findings suggest that clinically significant levels of depression and
anxiety may frequently coexist in PD. The specific neuropathology of PD may
predispose to this pattern of behavioral disturbance.Abstract Teaser