Subclinical suspiciousness as a risk factor for depressive episodes.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies suggest suspiciousness is associated with an increased risk of major depressive episodes in psychotic patients. We tested the hypothesis that this relationship would extend to nonpsychotic groups.


METHODS
Data came from the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study, a longitudinal population-based study conducted at five sites in the United States. Baseline clinical and demographic features were used to predict the onset of episodes of depression at 1-year follow-up in subjects without psychotic symptoms.


RESULTS
Subclinical suspiciousness was associated with an increased risk of new episodes of depression after accounting for demographic variables. However, three of six subclinical delusion-like experiences were also associated with an increased risk of depressive episodes. None of the subclinical hallucination-like experiences predicted subsequent risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Subclinical suspiciousness appears to increase the risk of depression in the general population. Some other delusion-like experiences may do the same.
Messias
E
E
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21228, USA.
Kirkpatrick
B
B
D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index