Gender differences in the symptoms of major depression in opposite-sex dizygotic twin pairs.
OBJECTIVE
Gender differences in the symptoms of major depression have received limited research attention. The aim of this study was to explore these differences in male-female twin pairs.


METHODS
Telephone interviews were conducted to determine the lifetime history of major depression in 1,404 complete pairs of opposite-sex dizygotic twins identified through a population-based registry. From these, the authors selected 201 pairs in which both twins fulfilled the DSM-III-R criteria for lifetime major depression. Dichotomous symptom variables were analyzed by using McNemar's chi-square. For continuous variables, conditional logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
Female twins reported experiencing significantly more fatigue, hypersomnia, and psychomotor retardation during the most severe major depressive episode, whereas male twins reported more insomnia and agitation.


CONCLUSIONS
In this group of matched twins, gender differences in the symptoms of major depression were seen in the areas of sleep, psychomotor changes, and fatigue. Gender significantly modifies some clinical features of major depression.
Khan
Amir A
AA
Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0126, USA. akkhan@mail2.vcu.edu
Gardner
Charles O
CO
Prescott
Carol A
CA
Kendler
Kenneth S
KS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology