Psychosocial impact of dysthymia: a study among married patients.
BACKGROUND
Unlike major depression, the psychosocial impact of dysthymia has received far less research attention. This study attempted to assess the psychosocial consequences of dysthymia.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 30 married patients with DSM-IV dysthymic disorder and a matched control group of 30 married patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (RDD), diagnosed using structured interviews. Apart from ratings of severity of depression, assessments of psychosocial impact included quality of life (QOL), disability, perceived social support and marital adjustment. Psychosocial parameters were evaluated using vernacular versions of well-validated scales previously used in similar populations. Matched normal/medically ill controls were derived from Indian studies which had assessed the same parameters using the same instruments.


RESULTS
Patients with dysthymia were significantly impaired on measures of QOL, disability, social support and marital adjustment compared to normal/medically ill controls. On the other hand, the two groups of dysthymia and RDD were comparable on these measures apart from significantly lower social support among patients with dysthymia. Duration of illness and severity of depression emerged as the most important correlates, particularly of impaired QOL and disability levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Small hospital-based sample, normal/medically ill controls derived from other studies and cross-sectional assessments were the major limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
Dysthymia had considerable adverse psychosocial impact in terms of QOL, functioning (disability), social support and marital adjustment. Severity and chronicity appeared to be important mediators of this negative psychosocial impact. Increased awareness, improved recognition and adequate treatment might help negate some of the untoward social consequences of this condition.
Subodh
B N
BN
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Avasthi
A
A
Chakrabarti
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires