Early-onset versus late-onset atypical depression: unipolar and bipolar II.
BACKGROUND
To find differences between early- and late-onset atypical depression (AD).


METHODS
211 unipolar/bipolar II AD outpatients, interviewed with DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview and depression rating scales. Logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
Early-onset AD was significantly associated with age, female gender, duration of illness, recurrences, chronicity, MADRS, bipolar II and unipolar. Early-onset bipolar II AD was significantly associated with age, female gender, duration of illness, recurrences and chronicity. Early-onset unipolar AD was significantly associated with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Age at onset recall bias, single interviewer, non-blind, cross-sectional assessment, bipolar II diagnosis reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar II AD is more likely to be chronic if early onset.
Benazzi
F
F
Department of Psychiatry, Public Hospital "Morgagni", National Health Service, 47100, Forlì, Italy. f.benazzi@fo.nettuno.it
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales