Correlates of depression in primary care.
BACKGROUND
Depression is a significant health problem in the United States. This study examined the relationship between depression and substance use, substance problems, conduct disorders, and sociodemographic factors in primary care settings.


METHODS
A survey of 1898 patients in 88 primary care offices was conducted using a self-administered health-habits questionnaire. Depression was assessed for both lifetime and for the past 30 days using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria.


RESULTS
A total of 21.7% of women and 12.7% of men met DSM-III-R criteria for depression in the 30 days prior to completing the survey. Lifetime rates of depression were 36.1% for women and 23.3% for men. Young women who smoke, drink, or use marijuana, and both men and women with antisocial personality disorder and a family history of mental health problems are particularly at high risk for depression.


CONCLUSIONS
One in 5 women and one in 10 men who see their primary care physicians have recently been depressed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce