Gender and depression: a study of severity and symptomatology of depressive disorders (ICD-10) in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
Gender differences in severity and symptomatology of depression in a large and representative sample of depressive patients from general practice were examined.


METHODS
During a 2-year study period, 31 Danish general practitioners consecutively assessed patients, aged >18, for depression. A total of 1033 patients (692 female, 341 male) fulfilled ICD-10 criteria for depressive disorders. Gender differences were examined with regard to severity and symptomatology of depression.


RESULTS
The severity of depression was similar for men and women with the following distribution: 22% mild, 56% moderate and 23% severe depressive episodes. The mean number of symptoms presented was 6.6 of 10 for both genders. There were no gender differences in prevalence of single depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
No gender differences in the severity or symptomatology of depression were found in a highly representative sample of patients with depressive disorders.
Hildebrandt
M G
MG
University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. malenehdk@yahoo.com
Stage
K B
KB
Kragh-Soerensen
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors