Do the diagnostic criteria determine the sex ratio in depression?

The 1-year prevalence rates and sex ratio of dysphoric mood, brief (BDE, < 2 weeks) and extensive (EDE, ≥ 2 weeks) depressive episodes and major depression (RDC, DSM-III) from an epidemiologic study are presented. Factors influencing the sex ratio are analyzed: subjective suffering from EDE, soci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of affective disorders 1984-12, Vol.7 (3), p.189-198
Main Authors: Angst, J., Dobler-Mikola, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - epidemiology
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Diagnostic criteria
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Sex Factors
Sex ratio
Switzerland
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Summary:The 1-year prevalence rates and sex ratio of dysphoric mood, brief (BDE, < 2 weeks) and extensive (EDE, ≥ 2 weeks) depressive episodes and major depression (RDC, DSM-III) from an epidemiologic study are presented. Factors influencing the sex ratio are analyzed: subjective suffering from EDE, social and work impairment were found to an equal degree in both genders. Factors favoring female preponderance: women report more symptoms, men most probably forget symptoms, frequency and length of less recent depressions more readily, women see a physician or proceed to self-medication much more often. Consequently, the identical minimum symptom number for both genders is questioned and occupational impairment suggested as an alternative case-defining criterion.
ISSN:0165-0327
1573-2517
DOI:10.1016/0165-0327(84)90040-5