disease interaction(s) of depression with dementia

Introduction

Interactions:

• depression may masquerade as dementia (see depressive pseudodementia)
• dementia may confound the diagnosis of depression
  • depression is common in demented patients
• depression may increase risk of dementia
  • risk higher for men than women Clinical manifestions:

depressive symptoms as midlife indicators of increased dementia risk

• lack of confidence (HR 1.51)
• unable to face problems (HR 1.49)
• lack of affectionate relationships (HR 1.44)
• anxiety (HR 1.34)
• dissatisfaction with tasks carried out (HR 1.33)
• difficulty concentrating (HR 1.29)

Management

• nonpharmacological interventions, with or without medications, are more effectve for improving symptoms of depression in patients with dementia than medications alone
  • cognitive stimulation*
  • massage/touch therapy*
  • occupational therapy
  • exercise +/- social interaction*
  • reminiscence therapy +/- psychotherapy
  • animal therapy
  • environmental modification

* massage/touch therapy, exercise with social interaction + cognitive stimulation, & cognitive stimulation + cholinesterase inhibitor may be best options [[1]

More general terms

• disease interaction