title: Community-based co-morbidity of depression and chronic physical illnesses in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the co-morbidity of depression and chronic physical illnesses in a representative sample of Hong Kong Chinese.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five thousand and four participants aged 18-65 years completed a structured telephone interview on major depressive episode (MDE) and eight chronic physical illnesses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  21.5% (N = 1078) of respondents had any physical illness in the previous 1 year. Twelve-month MDE was found in 15% (N = 162) of these physically ill respondents and was significantly associated with physical illnesses (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 2.07-3.16, p < 0.001). Number of co-morbid physical illnesses had an incremental association with the risk of MDE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Co-morbidity of depression and chronic physical illnesses is common in Hong Kong as in Western countries. This speaks to the need for evidence-based practice that encompasses models of integrated care in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China. singlee@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Sing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Adley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult