Phenomenology and comorbidity of dysthymic disorder in 100 consecutively referred children and adolescents: beyond DSM-IV.
OBJECTIVE
Diagnostic criteria and nosological boundaries of juvenile dysthymic disorder (DD) are under-researched. Two different sets of diagnostic criteria are still discussed in the DSM-IV, the first giving major weight to somatic and vegetative symptoms and the second, included in the appendix, to more affective and cognitive symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe prototypical symptomatology and comorbidity of DD, according to DSM-IV criteria, in a consecutive series of referred children and adolescents, as a function of age and sex.


METHODS
One hundred inpatients and outpatients (36 children and 64 adolescents, 57 males, 43 females, age range 7 to 18 years, mean age 13.3 years) received a diagnosis of DD without comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), using historical information, the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-Revised (DICA-R), and symptoms ratings according to the DSM-IV criteria.


RESULTS
Irritability, low self-esteem, fatigue or loss of energy, depressed mood, guilt, concentration difficulties, anhedonia, and hopelessness were present in more than 50% of subjects. Differences in symptomatic profile between male and female patients were not significant. Anxiety disorders were commonly comorbid with DD, mainly generalized anxiety disorder, simple phobias, and in prepuberal children, separation anxiety disorder. Externalizing disorders were reported in 35% of the patients, with higher prevalence in male patients. Adolescents showed more suicidal thoughts and anhedonia than children.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical picture of early-onset DD we found, based entirely on a pure sample without current and past MDD, is not totally congruent with the diagnostic criteria according to DSM-IV. A more precise definition of the clinical picture may help early diagnosis and prevention of superimposed mental disorders.
Masi
Gabriele
G
IRCCS Stella Maris, Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56018 Calambrone Pisa, Italy. gabriele.masi@inpe.unipi.it
Millepiedi
Stefania
S
Mucci
Maria
M
Pascale
Rosa Rita
RR
Perugi
Giulio
G
Akiskal
Hagop S
HS
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012649:Self Concept; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*