Abstract

Objective: To explore the characteristics of executive function and its relevant factors among Patients with Major Depressive Disorders (MDD).

Methods: Two hundred and sixty-five patients with major depressive disorders were selected, who were admitted to the 4th neurological department in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from July 2018 to June 2020. They were administed with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and a self-edited questionnaire on the personal general information.

Result: The total score of HAMA, HAMD and WCST were (16.32±5.91), (34.67±8.72) and (1.97±1.94), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the following 7 factors such as education, family monthly income, taking antidepressant drugs as prescribed, length of exercise per day, sleep quality, regular physical therapy, as well as understanding and support from relatives and friends were postively related with the total score of WCST (B= .137～.522, all P<.05), and the total score of HAMD and HAMA, age, age of first episode, duration of depression, recurrent depression and family history of psychosis were negatively related with the total score of WCST (B= -.215～-.711, all P<.05) .

Conclusion: The MDD patients’ executive function has decreased significantly, which is closely related to such factors as the course of depression, severity of depression, the degree of brain function decline, treatment compliance, as well as family and social support.

Keywords: Major depressive disorder; Executive function; Relevant factors

Abbreviations: MDD: Major Depressive Disorder; HAMD: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; HAMA: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; WCST: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test