Depressive pseudodementia in Greek patients: How differential diagnosis can lead to early diagnosis

Abstract

Background

The term Pseudodementia, as presented by Kiloh, is being used to describe the clinical image characterized by depression combined with impairment in cognitive functions which reacts positively in treatment with antidepressants.

Aim

To explore the aspects that make this condition unique, so that mental health professional will be able to use the proper psychometric tools when they face patients with confusing symptoms.

Method

Hundred and thirty-one participants were recruited from the B’ Psychiatric Clinic of G.H.N.P “Agios Panteleimon” and Day Center of Alzheimer's Disease in Amarousion, with 56 (42.7%) males and 75 (57.3%) females. All participants were administered the MoCA and the DASS21 questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS21.

Results

The findings reported a significant difference in the scores of MoCA done by patients with dementia (M = 13.9, SD = 5.4) and patients with depression (M = 20.5, SD = 4.9) while both groups scored below the accepted scores indicating cognitive impairment [CI]. However, analysis showed that in the following sectors of MoCA, depressive patients scored significantly higher than demented ones: visuospatial (MD = 0.651), clock (MD = 1.288), orientation (MD = 1.212) and delayed recall (MD = 1.329).

Conclusion

Findings shows a significant pattern in the difference between depressed and patients with cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that mental health professionals should use neuropsychological measurements like MoCA when evaluating such cases in order to be able to diagnose effectively cases of pseudodementia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.