Executive functions in adults diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder in the city of Camagüey.

Abstract

The aim of this article was to characterize the executive functions of adults diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder at the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital "Comandante René Vallejo Ortiz" in Camagüey province. An observational, descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional, cross-sectional study with quantitative methodology was carried out. The universe was conformed by 28 patients, who were submitted to inclusion, exclusion and exit criteria, to conform a definitive sample of 19 subjects. The variables studied were: age, sex, schooling, severity levels of depression at the time of evaluation, executive functions related to working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Information was collected through neuropsychological assessment with the application of a battery of neuropsychological tests. The processing was carried out using descriptive statistical methods with percentage analysis, frequency distribution, mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation calculations, as well as elements of inferential statistics using the SPSS program, version 23. These were associated with the predominance of the age range of 51 to 60 years, female sex, university education, levels of depression classified as major depression and severe major depression. Alterations in executive functions associated with working memory and inhibitory control were found. No relationships or differences were established with regard to the levels of severity of depression and the components of the executive functions evaluated.