THE AMYOTROPIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND DEPRESSION

Abstract

The topic is relevant because the number of people suffering from depression is increasing, especially in the background of such a severe disease as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the clinical characteristics of depressive disorder in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to determine relevant preventive measures. During the last five years, 60 patients with the diagnosis of amyotrophic sclerosis have been studied, researched and examined by us. Beck Depression Scale (BDI) was used to identify depression. 60 patients with different forms of ALS participated in the study, including 34 (56.66%) men and 26 (43.33%) women. Their age ranges from 30 to 81 years. Depressive disorders were detected in 55 patients (26 women and 29 men), a mild depressive episode (LDE) with one year anamnesis was observed in 4 patients, medium in 3 and severe (TDE) in 11 cases. In patients with a anamnesis of three years, mild depressive episode was observed in 3 cases, moderate - in 13, severe - in 16 patients. In addition to the above, mild depressive episode with a 5-year anamnesis was observed in 1 patient, moderate - 1, severe - 1 patient. With a 10-year anamnesis, mild depressive episode was observed in 1 patient, moderate in also 1, and severe – has not been observed. In patients with an anamnesis of more than 10 years, no indicators of depression was observed. Thus, the rate of depression is much higher among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the early years of the disease than later. What requires proper attention and help is the indicators of depression of relatives of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which needs further research and study. Rehabilitation of depressed patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an important medical problem