Selecting key variables for depression prevention: results from a population-based prospective epidemiological study.
BACKGROUND
Given the existing economic constraints, prevention of depression has to be carefully targeted, and applied where it is likely to yield the highest possible health benefits at the lowest possible cost.


OBJECTIVE
To identify those risk factors of depression that have the greatest use potential from the perspective of prevention.


METHODS
Data were derived from a population-based prospective cohort of 4664 adults who had never experienced a depression. Their health status was re-examined after 1 year. Incidence rate ratios (IRR), population attributable risks (PAR) and numbers needed to be treated (NNT) were calculated to create a hierarchy of risk factors.


RESULTS
Selecting high-risk groups with migraine, abdominal and respiratory complaints and markers of vulnerability or childhood trauma appears to be an indicated strategy.


CONCLUSIONS
This study illustrates how epidemiology can contribute towards setting a Research and Development agenda for primary prevention of depression.
Smit
Filip
F
Trimbos Institute, The Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, P.O. Box 275, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands. fsmit@trimbos.nl
Beekman
Aartjan
A
Cuijpers
Pim
P
de Graaf
Ron
R
Vollebergh
Wilma
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology