Significant Rates of Major Depressive Disorder Found in Dementia

A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found persons with dementia had an increased prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), reports Psychiatry Advisor . The researchers analyzed 421 studies, of which 55 met the necessary criteria for review. A pooled MDD prevalence rate of 15.9 percent was observed among participants with dementia aged 58.7 to 87.8 years old. This rate was deemed consistent with the results of a previous meta-analysis of 25 studies of depression in dementia, estimating a pooled prevalence rate of 12.7 percent. Outcomes showed that 24.7 percent of those with vascular dementia had depression, compared with 14.8 percent of those with Alzheimer's and 21.5 percent of those with dementia with Lewy bodies. Among participants with mild dementia, 22.1 percent had depression, versus 11.6 percent of subjects with moderate dementia. The researchers reached the conclusion that "the high prevalence of depression in dementia has important clinical implications and supports recommendations that clinicians should be vigilant for MDD in dementia." The meta-analysis also determined the current screening tools and diagnostic criteria for MDD are sufficient for effectively diagnosing MDD in most persons with dementia.