Epidemiology of Depressive Disorder

Maeng Je Cho; Jun Young Lee

doi:10.5124/jkma.2003.46.9.772

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Cho and Lee: Epidemiology of Depressive Disorder

Special Issue

Depressive Disorder

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2003; 46(9): 772-782.

Published online: 30 September 2003

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2003.46.9.772

Epidemiology of Depressive Disorder

Maeng Je Cho, M.D., Jun Young Lee, M.D.

Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine & Hospital, Korea. mjcho@plaza.snu.ac.kr, benji@naver.com

(open-access):

This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

In Korea, the prevalence of major depression is 4 per 100 and the world prevalence is 10 per 100. Risk factors are women, younger cohort, separated and divorced, persons with family history, early parental death and disruptive childhood environment, negative stressful events and chronic stress, absence of confidant in women, and urban areas. The mean age of onset ranges from late twenties to early thirties, but the age of onset becomes earlier and the prevalence of major depression is increasing. The recurrence rate is 85% and patients experience four episodes of depression on average and major depression is ranked as the fourth disabling disease. It was proven that major depression is one of most chronic and disabling diseases. The prognosis is poorer with comorbid dysthymia. Anxiety disorder, substance dependence, and hypothyroidism are frequent comorbid conditions with depression. And coronary arterial disease and stroke are also frequent comorbidities and their mortality rates increase with depression. The diathesis-stress model of depression is supported by the genetic study of depression. In conclusion, the rate of depression is rising and depression is one of the most chronic and disabling diseases. Therefore, I hope the disease be prevented through future studies.

Keywords: Major depression, Dysthymia, Epidemiology, Prevalence, Prevention

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