Depression in dermatological patients identified by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis and treatment of depression are of vital importance in dermatological patients.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among patients visiting a dermatology clinic in southern Israel.


METHODS
Patients who visited the dermatology clinic were interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview screening tool.


RESULTS
The study included 384 patients. The screening questionnaire identified 37 patients (9.6%) with major depression, 3 patients (0.8%) with minor depression, and 74 patients (19.3%) with depressive symptoms. Higher prevalence of depression was found among widowers, among divorced or separated patients, and in unemployed patients. Depression was significantly associated with the perception of severity and suffering induced by the skin diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
The study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. To confirm causality, a longitudinal study should be conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression should be a consideration by dermatologists in the effective management of skin diseases.
Cohen
Arnon D
AD
Clalit Health Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. arcohen@clalit.org.il
Ofek-Shlomai
Andr'e
A
Vardy
Daniel A
DA
Weiner
Zeev
Z
Shvartzman
Pesach
P
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment