title: Differences in depressive symptoms between Korean and American outpatients with major depressive disorder.
abstract: Previous epidemiologic studies have revealed that East-Asian populations experience fewer depressive symptoms than American populations do. However, it is unclear whether this difference applies to clinical patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This present study included 1592 Korean and 3744 American outpatients who were 18 years of age or older and met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. criteria for single or recurrent episodes of nonpsychotic MDD, and evaluated their symptoms of depression using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form. Korean patients scored significantly lower for guilt and depressed mood items, and higher for hypochondriasis and suicidality items than American patients did, after adjusting for total Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores. Conversely, no significant differences were found in quality and function of daily life between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that Korean patients experienced less frequent depressed mood and guilt, including verbal and nonverbal expression of depressed mood [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-0.23] and feelings of punishment (AOR = 0.036, 95% CI 0.025-0.054) when compared with Americans after adjusting for age and sex. Conversely, Korean patients experienced more frequent suicidality and hypochondriasis, including suicidal ideas or gestures (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.60-2.76) and self-absorption of hypochondriasis (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.70-2.20). In conclusion, decreased expression of depressed mood and guilt may cause underdiagnosis of MDD in Korean patients. Early diagnosis of and intervention for depression and suicide may be delayed because of this specific cross-cultural difference in depression symptoms.
authors: aDepartment of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine bDepartment of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine cDepartment of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea dDepression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Hong Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Jeon
authors: Rosemary S
authors: RS
authors: Walker
authors: Aya
authors: A
authors: Inamori
authors: Jin Pyo
authors: JP
authors: Hong
authors: Maeng Je
authors: MJ
authors: Cho
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Baer
authors: Alisabet
authors: A
authors: Clain
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Fava
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Mischoulon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology