Factors associated with the onset of an episode of depressive symptoms in the general population.
OBJECTIVE
To determined the association between spinal pain, headache, health, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, and development of depressive symptomatology.


METHODS
A population-based, random sample of adults was surveyed and followed at 6 and 12 months. Individuals at risk of depression at baseline are the subjects of this article (n=845). We used Cox proportional hazards models to measure the time-varying effects of demographic, socio-economic, and health status; comorbid medical conditions; spinal pain; and headaches on the development of depression.


RESULTS
After adjusting for baseline depressive symptoms and factors associated with nonresponse to follow-up, we found that spinal pain severity, younger age, marital status (separated/divorced/widowed), self-perceived poor health status, and comorbid neurologic and gastro-intestinal disease were associated with onset of a new episode of depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Important predictors of depressive symptomatology include demographic characteristics, health problems, and pain problems.
Carroll
Linda J
LJ
Epidemiology Program, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. lcarroll@ualberta.ca
Cassidy
J David
JD
Côté
Pierre
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors