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Background and Objectives: In clinical practice, the coexistence of delusions and affective symptoms is often observed. The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition- Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) accepts the existence of mood disturbances in delusional disorder. Little research has been done regarding this field and prevalence rates are unclear. Our purpose was to review the frequency of affective symptoms in delusional disorder patients and to identify the proportion of these patients that are reported to be treated with antidepressants.
Methods: Three electronic databases were searched from 1980 to July 2012: MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PubMed, using the following keywords: delusional disorder, depression, affective illness, antidepressants and paranoia.
Results: A high frequency of affective disturbances was found in this population (21- 55.8%). In contrast, a low antidepressants prescription rate was shown. When focusing on delusional disorder somatic subtype, a particularly high mood disorder comorbidity rate was described and a good efficacy of antidepressant drugs was reported, in monotherapy or in combination with antipsychotics.
Conclusions: A high frequency of comorbid depression in delusional disorder and a low antidepressants prescription rate could be concluded. Further studies are needed to better clarify the role of mood symptoms in clinical practice among delusional disorder patients.
