Psychiatric Comorbidities in Parkinson’s Disease: A Moroccan Perspective on Anxiety and Depression

TL;DR

This study finds high rates of anxiety and depression in Moroccan Parkinson’s disease patients, emphasizing the need for routine mental health screening.

Contribution

The study provides prevalence data on anxiety and depression in Moroccan PD patients using the HADS scale.

Findings

63% of Parkinson’s patients showed definite anxiety symptoms, and 62% showed definite depression symptoms.

Psychiatric symptoms were common regardless of treatment or disease stage.

No significant correlations were found between HADS scores and clinical or demographic traits.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: An individual’s quality of life is greatly impacted by the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which include anxiety and depression. Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), this study sought to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Moroccan patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and investigate any possible associations with clinical characteristics and pharmacological treatment. Methods: The HADS was used to assess 100 PD patients in total. Clinical and demographic information, including prescription drug use, was gathered. The relationships between HADS scores and clinical factors were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation. Results: According to the HADS assessment, 20% of respondents had no anxiety symptoms, 17% had borderline symptoms, and 63% of patients reported definite anxiety symptoms. Of those with depression, 24% showed no symptoms, 14% were borderline, and 62% were certain. The average HADS-A and HADS-D scores were 2.34 and 2.43, respectively. L-DOPA alone was used to treat half of the patients, while combinations of Trivastal, Sifrol, anticholinergics, or antidepressants were given to the other half. There were no discernible correlations between HADS scores and clinical or demographic traits. Conclusions: The HADS is a useful instrument for assessing anxiety and depression in PD patients. Regardless of the method of treatment or stage of the disease, psychiatric symptoms are prevalent. For PD patients to benefit from early interventions and achieve an improved quality of life, routine screening is crucial.

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