title: Nosological validity of dysthymia. Part I: historical, epidemiological and clinical data.
abstract: Dysthymia is the last diagnostic label introduced after a series of precursors to describe a disorder whose nosological status has long been dubious. The results of published epidemiological, as well as clinical studies about its presentation, course and outcome partly support the validity of this construct - although their interpretation is limited by methodological difficulties: same prevalence in many locations in the world, always lower than that of major depression, somewhat specific clinical pattern, course and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Paris V, Cochin-Port-Royal University, CHS Paul Guiraud, 54 Avenue de la République, 94806 Villejuif cedex, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Waintraub
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Guelfi