Depression Levels and Associated Factors in Individuals with Hereditary Neuromuscular Disease

Abstract

Depression Levels and Associated Factors in Individuals with Hereditary Neuromuscular Disease ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine depression and anxiety levels in individuals diagnosed with Hereditary Neuromuscular Diseases (HNMDs) with differing degrees of ambulation, and the factors affecting those levels. Materials and Methods: The study population in this descriptive study consisted of patients under follow-up with diagnoses of HNMD at the Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital muscular diseases clinic. One hundred fifty-nine patients with varying degrees of ambulation were included. The study data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC). Results: The participants’ mean age was 21.03 ± 9.35 years, and 55.3% were male. Physical ambulation levels were nonfunctional in 24.5% of participants, dependent on supervision in 15.7%, and independent in 59.7%. A significant part of the participants had moderate or severe anxiety levels. The general BAI score was 20.44±10.25, and the general BDI score was 21.03±9.35. Mild and severe depressive symptoms were present in 76.1% of the participants. Advanced age (p