Depression--a common disorder across a broad spectrum of neurological conditions: a cross-sectional nationally representative survey

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression across a range of neurological conditions in a nationally representative sample.

Methods: The data source was the Survey of Living with Neurological Conditions in Canada (SLNCC), which accrued its sample by selecting participants from the Canadian Community Health Survey. The point prevalence of depression was estimated by assessment of depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire, Brief (Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-item).

Results: A total of n=4408 participated in the SLNCC. The highest point prevalence of depression (>30%) was seen in those with traumatic brain injury and brain/spinal cord tumors. Depression was also highly prevalent (18-28%) in those with (listed from highest to lowest) Alzheimer's disease/dementia, dystonia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, migraine, epilepsy and spina bifida. The odds ratios for depression, with the referent group being the general population, were significant (from highest to lowest) for migraine, traumatic brain injury, stroke, dystonia and epilepsy.

Conclusions: All neurological conditions included in this study are associated with an elevated prevalence of depression in community populations. The conditions with the highest prevalence are traumatic brain injury and brain/spinal cord tumors.

Keywords: Community-based study; Depression rating scales; Depressive disorder; Neurological conditions; Prevalence.