Background and objectives: Motor abnormalities are recognized features of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, subtle forms of motor dysfunction are still largely unexamined in adults with MDD. The aims of the present study were to: 1) assess the prevalence of mild motor signs (MMS) in adults with moderate to severe depression, and 2) evaluate whether patients with MMS exhibit specific depressive symptom profiles. Methods: Two-hundred forty-four participants (172 (70.5 %) women, mean age 46.8 +/- 14.5, mean education 12.5 +/- 3.6 years) from the PANDORA trial were enrolled. All the participants were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). MMS were assessed using the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale. Results: Out of the 244 participants, 34 (13.9 %) were MMS+: 20 (58.8 %) had myoclonus, 11 (32.3 %) hyperkinesia, 7 (20.6 %) rigidity, 6 (17.6 %) tremor, and 3 (8.8 %) hypokinesia. The percentage of patients reaching a >= 20 % improvement in the HAM-D total score was higher in the MMS-group than in the MMS+ (95.1 % vs. 75.0 %, respectively). MMS+ participants had higher HAM-D total score and sub-items exploring work and abilities, psychomotor retardation, agitation, and hypochondriasis. These associations between MMS and depression severity, as well as the specific symptomatology profile, were confirmed in the multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and sex. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MMS may reflect a distinct subgroup within MDD, potentially characterized by greater sensitivity to motor adverse effects and subtle differences in treatment response.
Mild motor signs in major depressive disorder: prevalence and clinical profile
Barlati S.;Menesello V.;Magistrali A.;Perusi G.;Nibbio G.;Gennarelli M.;Vita A.;Minelli A.
2026-01-01
Abstract
Background and objectives: Motor abnormalities are recognized features of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, subtle forms of motor dysfunction are still largely unexamined in adults with MDD. The aims of the present study were to: 1) assess the prevalence of mild motor signs (MMS) in adults with moderate to severe depression, and 2) evaluate whether patients with MMS exhibit specific depressive symptom profiles. Methods: Two-hundred forty-four participants (172 (70.5 %) women, mean age 46.8 +/- 14.5, mean education 12.5 +/- 3.6 years) from the PANDORA trial were enrolled. All the participants were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). MMS were assessed using the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale. Results: Out of the 244 participants, 34 (13.9 %) were MMS+: 20 (58.8 %) had myoclonus, 11 (32.3 %) hyperkinesia, 7 (20.6 %) rigidity, 6 (17.6 %) tremor, and 3 (8.8 %) hypokinesia. The percentage of patients reaching a >= 20 % improvement in the HAM-D total score was higher in the MMS-group than in the MMS+ (95.1 % vs. 75.0 %, respectively). MMS+ participants had higher HAM-D total score and sub-items exploring work and abilities, psychomotor retardation, agitation, and hypochondriasis. These associations between MMS and depression severity, as well as the specific symptomatology profile, were confirmed in the multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and sex. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MMS may reflect a distinct subgroup within MDD, potentially characterized by greater sensitivity to motor adverse effects and subtle differences in treatment response.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
