Particularities of Depressive and Anxious Symptoms in Patients with Neurocognitive Disorders

Abstract

Mood disorders encountered by the elderly are of concern to specialists in the fields of psychiatry, psychology and other social sciences, especially in the current social and demographic context of increasing the elderly population. This study aimed to build an affective and emotional profile of the patient with neurocognitive disorder. The study involved 91 patients, 49 women and 42 men, aged between 55 and 85, hospitalized in a clinical psychiatric hospital. To assess cognitive impairment, the Minimental State Examination test, was applied. To assess the level of anxiety and depression, the Clinical Assessment Scales for the Elderly (CASE - SF) were applied. Cognitive impairment correlates positively with nonspecific symptoms of anxiety and depression. Among the non-specific symptoms of anxiety, overwhelming agitation (r (89) = .40, p <.001), irritability (r (89) = 0.34, p <.001) and anxiety are positively correlated with cognitive impairment. Depressive symptoms correlate poorly with cognitive impairment. Among the symptoms of anxiety, the strongest predictor is irritability (β = – .46, t(85) = 4.72, p < .001). In patients with cognitive impairment, the symptoms of depression and anxiety take on different and aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new diagnostic system for the elderly, because the psychiatric symptoms of the elderly have a different expression than that of adults. The authors certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript “Particularities of depressive and anxious symptoms in patients with neurocognitive disorders”.