Implications of Cognitive Impairment on Several Aspects of Functionality and Quality of Life in Major Depressed Patients

Abstract

"Background: Depression is considered one of the main determinants of economic deficits by limiting the functionality of the patients. Our study aimed to longitudinally assess the implications of cognitive deficits on functionality and quality of life for patients with major depressive disorder, during an acute depressive episode and also during euthymia. Materials and methods: Our study included 65 patients diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder. The quality of life domains were tested during an acute episode and after 6 months of euthymia. For both phases, the results were correlated with 35 healthy controls. Results: Patients during an acute depressive episode who performed better at the evaluation of psychomotor speed reported higher levels of quality of life. For verbal memory and psychomotor speed, statistically significant correlations were identified with the level of functionality and the general living environment. During the euthymic phase, significant associations were identified between psychomotor speed and the global level of functionality. Also, memory and psychomotor coordination presented significant correlations with quality of life. Conclusions: Results from our study confirmed the relationship between cognitive functions and functionality of patients with depressive disorder and the predictive value of psychomotor speed for the quality of life domains during both phases."