What are the risk factors for depression in patients with Parkinson’s disease?

This study investigated the risk factors for depression in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers suggested that depression in these patients is associated with anxiety and sleep disorders.

PD is the second most common brain disorder. It is associated with physical and mental symptoms such as muscle weakness and depression. Depression is common among PD patients and it worsens the disability and the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. It may also lead to dementia and shorter life expectancy.  

Prior studies suggested that depression in PD patients is associated with PD (disease stage and duration) and non-PD specific factors (age and sex). However, non-PD specific risk factors are the most important factors for depression.  

Another study suggested that a low education level and family history of depression are risk factors for depression in PD. However, these studies included a small number of participants and lack other risk factors for depression. Therefore, the risk factors for depression in PD patients are not well known.

This study included information about 1767 patients with newly diagnosed PD. Of these, 324 (18.3%) had depression (group 1). A control group of 972 patients without depression was selected (group 2). Patients were followed up or an average of 4.5 years.

Patients from group 1 were 1.53 times more at risk of having anxiety when compared to group 2. Group 1 was also 1.49 times more at risk of having sleep disorders when compared to group 2. Having other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lung, heart, liver, or kidney disease was not significantly associated with depression in patients with PD.

This study concluded that anxiety and sleep disorders are risk factors for depression in patients with PD.

This study only included patients from Taiwan, therefore the results might not apply to other populations. Also, the data came from medical records, and information regarding personal history was missing. This might have impacted the results.