Impact of depression on cognitive function among women in a psychiatric hospital: Analysis via the Beck Scale Short Version and the Moroccan Version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed the impact of depression on cognitive function in newly diagnosed women presenting to psychiatric emergency services through the cold track.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ar-Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Salé, Morocco, involving 86 women aged 18-58 years, newly diagnosed with depression. Depression severity was measured using the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory Short Version, and cognitive functions were assessed with the Moroccan version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Data analysis used SPSS v.26, employing correlation tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to explore relationships and group differences. A confidence level of 95% and a significance threshold of 0.05 were applied.

Results: Among the participants, severe depression was prevalent, particularly among women aged 38-48 years. Depression scores were significantly higher in women with only primary education, while widowed women exhibited the highest overall scores. Students and unemployed participants were the most severely affected. A negative correlation was observed between depression symptoms and cognitive function, with higher depression levels associated with lower cognitive scores. Feelings of sadness and concentration deficits were negatively correlated, as were feelings of discouragement and executive functions. Positive correlations emerged between feelings of guilt and verbal fluency.

Conclusion: This study underscores the relationship between depression and cognitive impairment in women, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluations of cognitive deficits in depressed patients. Tailored interventions should be prioritized to improve their quality of life.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Morocco; depression; psychiatric hospital; women.