Frequency of depression among patients with neurocysticercosis.

UNLABELLED: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common central nervous system infection caused by Taenia solium metacestodes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the occurrence of depression in patients with calcified NCC form. The study group consisted of 114 patients subdivided in four groups: NCC with epilepsy, NCC without epilepsy, epilepsy without NCC and chronic headache.

METHOD: Depression was evaluated and quantified by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-21).

RESULTS

Percentage of patients with depression was as follows: group 1 (83%); group 2 (88%); group 3 (92%); group 4 (100%). The majority of patients had moderate depression.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of depression in all groups was higher than in the general population. It is possible that, in a general way, patients with chronic diseases would have depression with similar intensity. NCC is associated with the presence of depression.