Frequency of depression among patients with neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common central nervous system infection caused by Taenia solium metacestodes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of depression in patients with calcified NCC form. The study group consisted of 114 patients subdivided in four groups: NCC with epilepsy, NCC without epilepsy, epilepsy without NCC and chronic headache. METHOD: Depression was evaluated and quantified by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-21). RESULTS: Percentage of patients with depression was as follows: group 1 (83%); group 2 (88%); group 3 (92%); group 4 (100%). The majority of patients had moderate depression. CONCLUSION: Incidence of depression in all groups was higher than in the general population. It is possible that, in a general way, patients with chronic diseases would have depression with similar intensity. NCC is associated with the presence of depression.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Almeida,Sergio Monteiro de, Gurjão,Solange Aparecida
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 2010
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2010000100017
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