title: The epidemiology of depression. An update on sex differences in rates.
abstract: Data from the New Haven, CT, Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area, site of the NIMH Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study, a multi-site collaborative community survey of psychiatric disorders is presented. The 6-month prevalence rates based on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) interview and the DSM-III found that major depression was more frequent in women than men (2.4:1). The sex ratios for bipolar disorder were about equal. The sex ratios for major depression were fairly consistent at different time periods retrospectively assessed. There appeared to be a birth cohort effect with cohort's born after 1936 having an earlier age of onset and higher rates of major depression but not a change in sex ratios. These findings must be considered in light of the methodologic limitations of retrospective recall.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States