title: Low prevalence of major depressive disorder in Taiwanese adults: possible explanations and implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), and the correlations and co-morbid conditions associated with MDD, in the adult Taiwanese population, which a previous estimate in the 1980s had found to be at the lower end of the spectrum worldwide. Possible explanations for the reported low prevalence of MDD were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a survey of common psychiatric disorders in a nationally representative sample of individuals aged ≥ 18 years who were non-institutionalized civilians in Taiwan, a face-to-face interview using the paper version of the World Mental Health Survey of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) was conducted between 2003 and 2005. Functional impairment and help-seeking behaviors were compared between Taiwanese subjects with MDD and their counterparts in the USA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 10 135 respondents, the lifetime prevalence of MDD was 1.20% [standard error (S.E.)=0.2%]. Individuals who were divorced or widowed, aged ≤ 40 years, and female were at increased risk, whereas rural residents were at lower risk for MDD. The proportion of MDD cases co-morbid with other psychiatric disorders in this study was much lower than in the US study. Only one-third of Taiwanese individuals with MDD sought help despite having twice the number of lost workdays compared with the US sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the low prevalence of MDD in Taiwanese adults, the pattern of low help-seeking behavior and profound functional impairment indicates much room for improvement in the early detection of and intervention in major depression in this population.
authors: Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: S-C
authors: SC
authors: Liao
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Chen
authors: M-B
authors: MB
authors: Lee
authors: F-W
authors: FW
authors: Lung
authors: T-J
authors: TJ
authors: Lai
authors: C-Y
authors: CY
authors: Liu
authors: C-Y
authors: CY
authors: Lin
authors: M-J
authors: MJ
authors: Yang
authors: C-C
authors: CC
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics; D012380:Role; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013383:Suburban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult