Usefulness of Blatt-Kupperman scale in depression diagnosis in post menopausal women

摘要

Prevalence of depressive illness is twice as high in women than in men, regardless of race and social or economic status Several factors are linked to depression including genetic, biologic and neuroendocrine Depression during menopause is twice as frequent than in reproductive age women Blatt-Kupperman (BK) scale is a tool to help evaluate the severity of menopausal symptoms The objective of this study is to evaluate its usefulness in inferring postmenopausal depression. Material and methods: Symptoms related to post menopause were evaluated in 674 patients using BK and the grade of depression was later measured using a modified Hamilton Scale, rating patient conditions as Depression, Anxiety Reaction and Normal (without depression). The statistic analysis was by ANOVA Remits: 179 (26.8%) patients were diagnosed as Depressed, 168 (25 2%) as Anxiety Reaction and 321 (48.0%) as without depression By grouping the results according to BK scale, we found that the prevalence of Depression was 0% when menopause symptoms were absent, 8.9% when minimal symptoms (BK under 15), 10.6% with mild symptoms, 46 5 with moderate symptoms and 5.3% if symptoms were severe (BK over 36) (P<0 001..). Conclusion: All menopausal patients with a BK over 36 should be specifically monitored for depression Those patients with severe symptoms have over 50% probability of also presenting an underlying depression case.