Prevalence and associated features of depression in women with Rett syndrome

Background Little is known about depression among women with Rett syndrome (RTT) despite recent advances in knowledge about RTT. In this study, we aimed to establish the prevalence of depression among women with RTT as identified by a screening telephone interview and to explore the clinical factors...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of intellectual disability research 2016-06, Vol.60 (6), p.564-570
Main Authors: Hryniewiecka-Jaworska, A., Foden, E., Kerr, M., Felce, D., Clarke, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Behavior problems
Caregivers
Comorbidity
Cross-Sectional Studies
depression
Depression (Psychology)
Depressive Disorder - epidemiology
Depressive Disorder - physiopathology
Female
Females
Health behavior
Health problems
Humans
Intellectual disabilities
intellectual disability
Lethargy
Medical screening
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Middle Aged
Neurological disorders
Prevalence
Psychiatry
psychopathology
Rett syndrome
Rett Syndrome - epidemiology
Rett Syndrome - physiopathology
Severity
Withdrawal (Psychology)
Women
Young Adult
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Summary:Background Little is known about depression among women with Rett syndrome (RTT) despite recent advances in knowledge about RTT. In this study, we aimed to establish the prevalence of depression among women with RTT as identified by a screening telephone interview and to explore the clinical factors associated with this. Methods The study employed the cross‐sectional analysis of data from telephone interviews with carers of 56 women with RTT, using validated questionnaires for assessing mental health problems, challenging behaviour and RTT severity. Results Scores on the mental health assessment reached the affective/neurotic threshold in eight cases (14.3%). No significant differences were found between those reaching the threshold and those who did not in terms of severity of RTT phenotype, health problems or social circumstances. There was a significant association between screening identified depression and higher lethargy and social withdrawal. Conclusions Screening identified depression was found among a sizeable minority of women with RTT. Further investigation is needed to establish a clinically validated prevalence of depression among this group and to identify behavioural features that would lead to prompt psychiatric assessment.
ISSN:0964-2633
1365-2788
DOI:10.1111/jir.12270