Association between Depression and Education Level in Alzheimer's Dementia : A CREDOS (Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea) Study

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the association depression with education level in patients with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). METHODS: We examined 911 patients with AD in CREDOS (Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea) study and designed cross-sectional study. Each patient underwent psychiatrical, neurological and medical examination, interview for caregivers, laboratory tests, neuropsychological tests, and brain MRI. Cognitive function was measured using Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination, Global Deterioration Scale and Clinical Dementia Rating. Psycho-Behavioral symptom was measured using Caregiver-Administered Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Daily Living was measured using Barthel Index for daily living activities and Seoul-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Depressive symptoms using the Korean version of the Short form on Geriatric Depression Scale were measured. Education was classified into low, intermediate, and high levels. 621 patients were performed APOE genotyping among the 911 patients. RESULTS: Out of the 911 patients, 477 were low education, 287 were intermediate education, and 147 were high education. 341 patients had depression. In logistic regression model we confirmed low education was the risk factor of depression (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.66-3.07). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that low education was associated with depression in Alzheimer's dementia.