Abstract
We investigated the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms among patients with Shy-Drager Syndrome (SDS) and correlated depression with the extent of the patients' disability. Data were collected from 15 patients and their spouse caregivers through a mailed questionnaire. The patients were asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire, while caregivers were asked to complete the self-assessment Parkinson's Disease Disability Scale and The Northwestern University Disability Scale for Parkinson's Disease. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson-Product moment correlations. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 85.7%; 28.6% of SDS patients scored in the moderately to severely depressed range. There was no significant correlation between the severity of depressive symptoms and disability (r=0.02, p=0.94) and the ability to perform activities of daily living (r=0.0, p=1.0).
The prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with SDS is common. The patient's level of depression does not correlate with physical disability. Pharmacologic management and interventions aimed at increasing active coping methods should improve quality of life.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Wenning GK, Tison F, Schlomo B, Daniel SE, Quinn NP. Multiple system atrophy: a review of 203 pathologically proven cases.Movement Disorders 1997; 12:133–147.
Kwentus JA, Auth TL, Foy JL. Shy-Drager syndrome presenting as depression: case report.J Clin Psychiatry 1984; 45:137–139.
Ruxin RJ, Ruedrich S. ECT in combined multiple system atrophy and major depression.Convulsive Therapy 1994; 10:298–300.
Pilo L, Ring H, Quinn N, and Trimble M. Depression in multiple system atrophy and in idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a pilot comparative study.Biol Psychiat 1996; 39:803–807.
Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mock J, and Erbaugh J. “An Inventory for Measuring Depression.”Arch Gen Psychiatry 1961; 4:53–63.
Beck AT.Beck Inventory Depression: Manual. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation; 1987.
Spreen O, Strauss E.A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, and Commentary. New York: Oxford University Press; 1991:385–390.
Brown RG, MacCarthy B, Jahanshahi M, Marsden CD. Accuracy of self-reported disability in patients with Parkinsonism.Arch Neurol 1989; 46:955–959.
Canter GJ, deLa Torre R & Mier M. A method for evaluating disability in patients with Parkinson's disease.J Nerv Ment Dis 1961; 133:143–147.
Boyd JH, Weissman MM. Epidemiology of affective disorders.Arch Gen Psychiatry 1981; 38:1039–1046.
Dooneief G, Mirabello E, Bell K, Marder K, Stern Y, Mayeux R. An estimate of the incidence of depression in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.Arch Neurol 1992; 49:305–307.
Zung WW, Broadhead WE, Roth ME. Prevalence of depressive symptoms in primary care.J Fam Practice 1993; 37:337–344.
Starkstein SE, Preziosi TJ, Bolduc PL, and Robinson RG. Depression in Parkinson's disease.J Nerv Ment Dis 1990; 178:27–31.
Celesia GG, Wanamaker WM. Psychiatric disturbance in Parkinson's disease.Dis Nervous Sys 1972; 33:577–583.
Clinical Practice Guidelines, number 5. Depression in Primary Care: volume 1. Detection and diagnosis. U.S. Rockville, MD: Department of Health and Human Services (AHCPR Publication #93-0550); 1993.
Berrios GE, Campbell C, Politynska BE. Autonomic failure, depression, and anxiety in Parkinson's disease.Br J Psychiatry 1995; 166:789–792.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gill, C.E., Khurana, R.K. & Hibler, R.J. Occurrence of depressive symptoms in Shy-Drager syndrome. Clinical Autonomic Research 9, 1–4 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02280689
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02280689