One hundred nine outpatients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were
neuropsychiatrically evaluated and rated on standardized measures of
depression, activities of daily living (ADL), nonmood behavioral
disturbance, and burdensome events such as serious wandering, falls, and
accidents. Distribution of depression scores revealed three patient groups:
very few depressive symptoms (51%), minor depression (27%), and major
depression (22%). Major depression was associated with substantially
greater impairment in ADL, worse nonmood behavioral disturbance (such as
aggression), and more frequent serious wandering, even after adjusting for
severity of dementia or comorbid health problems. Minor depression was also
associated with nonmood behavioral disturbance and wandering. The authors
conclude that both major and minor depression are common in AD and produce
considerable mood and nonmood morbidity affecting both patients and
caregivers. Efforts are warranted to identify and treat depression in
AD.Abstract Teaser