Gender differences in chronic major and double depression.
BACKGROUND
While the sex difference in prevalence rates of unipolar depression is well established, few studies have examined gender differences in clinical features of depression. Even less is known about gender differences in chronic forms of depression.


METHODS
235 male and 400 female outpatients with DSM-III-R chronic major depression or double depression (i.e., major depression superimposed on dysthymia) were administered an extensive battery of clinician-rated and self-report measures.


RESULTS
Women were less likely to be married and had a younger age at onset and greater family history of affective disorder compared to men. Symptom profile was similar in men and women, with the exception of more sleep changes, psychomotor retardation and anxiety/somatization in women. Women reported greater severity of illness and were more likely to have received previous treatment for depression with medications and/or psychotherapy. Greater functional impairment was noted by women in the area of marital adjustment, while men showed more work impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Since our population consisted of patients enrolling in a clinical trial, study exclusion criteria may have affected gender-related differences found.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronicity of depression appears to affect women more seriously than men, as manifested by an earlier age of onset, greater family history of affective disorders, greater symptom reporting, poorer social adjustment and poorer quality of life. These findings represent the largest study to date of gender differences in a population with chronic depressive conditions.
Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0710, USA.
S G
SG
Kornstein
A F
AF
Schatzberg
M E
ME
Thase
K A
KA
Yonkers
J P
JP
McCullough
G I
GI
Keitner
A J
AJ
Gelenberg
C E
CE
Ryan
A L
AL
Hess
W
W
Harrison
S M
SM
Davis
M B
MB
Keller
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors