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Open Access 11-09-2023 | Huntington's Disease | Original Communication

The relationship between disease-specific psychosocial stressors and depressive symptoms in Huntington’s disease

Authors: Hiba Bilal, Ian H. Harding, Julie C. Stout

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease involving motor abnormalities, cognitive decline, and psychological difficulties. Depression is among the most common psychological difficulties in HD. People with HD encounter numerous stressors related to their diagnosis and the impact of HD on their daily lives. Understanding the relationship between HD-specific psychosocial stressors and depression symptoms is critical for optimising treatment and developing a holistic, disease-specific model of depression in HD.

Methods

Fifty-seven adults with the HD gene expansion (33 pre-symptomatic, 24 symptomatic) completed a self-report depression questionnaire and rated how much stress they experienced in relation to 20 psychosocial challenges commonly associated with HD. We examined associations between depression symptoms and each stressor individually, and after clustering using principal components analysis.

Results

Depression symptoms were significantly associated with most of the psychosocial stressors assessed. Clustering with principal components analysis revealed that higher depression scores had significant independent associations with greater stress related to the future implications of HD (β = .44, p = .001) and sleep and psychological difficulties (β = .28, p = .005), but not with stress related to functional limitations (β = .11, p = .33) or interpersonal issues caused by HD (β = .15, p = .21).

Conclusions

Stressful experiences associated with HD constitute an important risk factor for depression in HD. Our findings support the use of more psychologically informed models of depression in HD and necessitate further research on tailored psychosocial interventions for HD patients with depression.

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Title: The relationship between disease-specific psychosocial stressors and depressive symptoms in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Hiba Bilal
Ian H. Harding
Julie C. Stout
Publication date: 11-09-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Huntington's Disease
Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-023-11982-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The relationship between disease-specific psychosocial stressors and depressive symptoms in Huntington’s disease

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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