Cognitive Function And Social Function In Depression

Background: Depression is a common psychiatric disease with significant impairments in quality of life and psychosocial function. Efficacy in relieving the core symptoms of depression does not necessarily guarantee efficacy in relieving impaired social function. Recent studies suggest depression is associated with cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is likely to be a key factor affecting the subject's social function.Objective: 1.To explore the states of cognitive deficits and social impairment in depression.2.To explore the relationship between cognitive deficits and social function in depression. Methods:1.We used Hamilton Rating Scales of Depression (HAMD) to assess the severity of depressive state.2.Winsconsin card sorting test, Trail making test and other neuropsychological tasks were used to measure the cognitive function.3. Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) and the social function scale of General Quality Of Life Inventory (GQOLI-74) were used to measure the social function.4.P300, CNV were recorded using Medelec Synergy instrument.Results:1.Age was correlated with results of digit symbol and digit span-forward. There was no correlation between results of all neuropsychological tasks and sex, education, total scores of HAMD. Significant positive correlation was found between the course of disease and result of TMT-B.2.The results of neuropsychological tasks of depressed patients were significant lower than those of the normal controls. The result of follow up in 21 patients showed they did better in some neuropsychological tasks after treatment with Venlafaxine for 6 weeks, but the results still lower than those of the normal controls. The decrease of TMT-A, VF, total trails of WCST were positively correlated with decrease rate of HAMD.3.Prolonged P3 latency and decreased amplitudes of CNV were found in depressive patients. There was no correlation between each index of ERP and sex, age, education, the course of disease, the severity of depressive symptoms.4.Age was correlated with the results of role-physical, bodily pain, general health of SF-36 and the result of work-study of GQOLI-74. There was no correlation between each index of social function and sex, education, the course of disease, the severity of depressive symptoms.5.The results of social function of depressed patients were significantly lower than those of the normal controls. The result of follow up in 21 patients showed they did better in some social function after treatment with Venlafaxine for 6 weeks, but the results except physical functioning of SF-36 still lower than those of the normal controls. The decrease of social function and mental health of GQOLI-74 were positively correlated with decrease rate of HAMD.6.Some results of social function were correlated with some results of executive function tasks. The decrease of some social function was correlated with decrease rate of some neuropsychological tasks. Conclusions:1.Patients with depression have cognitive deficits and social impairment. After recovery from depression, cognitive deficits and social impairment may be improved, but do not return to their premorbid levels.2.Cognitive impairment may be a key factor affecting the subject's social function.3.Age was negatively correlated with some cognitive function and social function, which suggest for elder depressive patients, pay attention to the improvement of their cognitive function and social function is very important.