The authors examined the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms
in elderly patients with presumed primary degenerative dementia and
identified the signs and symptoms that provide a reliable basis for
diagnosing depression. Forty-four patients and 42 control subjects were
interviewed and rated on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the
Sandoz Clinical Assessment-Geriatric Scale. Nine of the patients
demonstrated symptoms suggestive of mild, four of moderate, and five of
severe depression. Patients had significantly higher scores than control
subjects on items that assess intrapsychic rather than vegetative symptoms
of depression. These findings underline the importance of maintaining a
high index of suspicion for concomitant depressive symptoms in patients
with primary degenerative dementia.
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