Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Jekpoo, Sirivipa; Wongpakaran, Nahathai; Wongpakaran, Tinakon; Wantaneeyawong, Chayasak; Wiriyacosol, Punjaree; Methapatara, Pised

doi:10.3390/medicina61010160

Open AccessArticle

Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia

by

Sirivipa Jekpoo

¹,

Nahathai Wongpakaran

^1,*

,

Tinakon Wongpakaran

¹

,

Chayasak Wantaneeyawong

²

,

Punjaree Wiriyacosol

¹

and

Pised Methapatara

³

¹

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

²

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

³

Suanprug Hospital, Chang Wat Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Medicina 2025, 61(1), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010160

Submission received: 5 December 2024 / Revised: 5 January 2025 / Accepted: 17 January 2025 / Published: 19 January 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatry)

Download Versions Notes

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease often accompanied by depression. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of depression and the associated mental health factors in SCA patients. Material and Methods: Eleven Thai SCA patients completed questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, inner strengths, perceived social support, personality traits and perceived stress. Results: Participants’ average age was 50.27 years old. The prevalence of depression was 27.27%. Depression scores were positively correlated with OI-anxiety score (r = 0.887, 95%CI 0.586 to 0.968), perceived stress (r = 0781, 95%CI 0.305 to 0.936) and personality traits including aggression (r = 0.73, 95% CI 0.197 to 0.920), activity (r = 0.651, 95%CI 0.052 to 0.893) and neuroticism (r = 0.80, 95% CI 0.351 to 0.942). Conversely, depression negatively correlated with inner strengths (r = −0.70, 95%CI −0.910 to −0.139) and perceived social support, particularly from family (r = −0.88, 95%CI −0.966 to −0.564). Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for comprehensive mental health assessment and intervention in SCA patients. Strengthening inner strengths, promoting social support, and managing negative mental health factors may improve quality of life for patients with SCA.

Keywords: spinocerebellar ataxia; depression; anxiety; mental health

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Jekpoo, S.; Wongpakaran, N.; Wongpakaran, T.; Wantaneeyawong, C.; Wiriyacosol, P.; Methapatara, P. Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Medicina 2025, 61, 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010160

AMA Style

Jekpoo S, Wongpakaran N, Wongpakaran T, Wantaneeyawong C, Wiriyacosol P, Methapatara P. Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Medicina. 2025; 61(1):160. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010160

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jekpoo, Sirivipa, Nahathai Wongpakaran, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Chayasak Wantaneeyawong, Punjaree Wiriyacosol, and Pised Methapatara. 2025. "Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia" Medicina 61, no. 1: 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010160

APA Style

Jekpoo, S., Wongpakaran, N., Wongpakaran, T., Wantaneeyawong, C., Wiriyacosol, P., & Methapatara, P. (2025). Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Medicina, 61(1), 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010160

Article Menu

Depression and Associated Factors Among Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Abstract

Share and Cite

Article Metrics

Article Access Statistics

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI