Avaliação da depressão em pessoas que vivem com a doença de Parkinson inscritas em um projeto de extensão da Universidade Federal do Amapá

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition of the central nervous system that appears more frequently during aging and progresses slowly. It is considered the second most common neurodegenerative disorder among older adults, surpassed only by Alzheimer’s disease. The monoaminergic theory of depression, which relates the reduction of certain biogenic amines to the emergence of depressive symptoms, helps explain why depression is prevalent in elderly individuals. Although not widely discussed, this condition also occurs in Parkinson’s disease, in which depression represents a non-motor symptom. Thus, understanding the disease in its entirety contributes to a better comprehension of its clinical evolution. Methodology: This exploratory, descriptive, and retrospective study analyzed medical records of 45 patients, including 27 men and 18 women. A translated version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), composed of 17 items designed to assess the severity of depressive symptoms, was used, along with the Hoehn and Yahr scale, which classifies the level of motor disability associated with Parkinson’s disease. Results: All participants presented some degree of disability according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale, and 62.2% showed depressive symptoms based on the HAM-D, with a higher prevalence among men. The highest depression scores were observed in mild to moderate stages of disability, a phase in which the first motor symptoms appear and bilateral progression begins. Conclusion: There is a direct relationship between Parkinson’s disease, the degree of disability, and depression, reinforcing the need for a combined therapeutic approach to reduce neurodegenerative progression.