Are diagnostic criteria, time of episode and occupational impairment important determinants of the female:male ratio for major depression?
This study addresses whether the female preponderance in the 1-year prevalence of major depressive disorder is associated with differences in reporting symptoms or underreporting remote episodes, or the inclusion of work impairment in the case definition. In a sample of 1870 professionals and managers, we find (1) a more restrictive cut-off point for women does not eliminate the differential; (2) males and females equally underreport symptoms for remote episodes; and (3) adding impairment to the case definition marginally affects the F:M ratio. Thus, the large F:M prevalence ratio is not an artifact of ascertainment method, case definition, or differential recall.
Fennig
S
S
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook 11794-8790.
Schwartz
J E
JE
Bromet
E J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012744:Sex Ratio