title: Prevalence, trends, correlates and treatment of depression in Chile in 2003 to 2010.
abstract: There is a need for recent, nationally representative data on the prevalence of mental disorders in Latin America. We aim to assess the prevalence of depression in Chile and possible changes over time.
  
  
  
  In the Chilean National Health Surveys in 2003 (n = 5469) and 2010 (n = 7212), two nationally representative cross-sectional population surveys, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Short Form (CIDI-SF) was applied to establish diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) using DSM-IV criteria. Sociodemographic correlates of MDE and time trends were analyzed.
  
  
  
  The prevalence of MDE was 20.5% (95% CI 18.3-22.7) in 2003 and 18.4% (95% CI 16.5-20.2) in 2010. In 2003, women and persons residing in urban areas had increased risk of depression, whereas in 2010 the risk factors were female sex, younger age and lower education. There were up to 15-fold differences in prevalence between regions. No significant changes in prevalence occurred over the observation period. 21.2% (95% CI 16.6-25.8) of those depressed were currently receiving antidepressant treatment, with large regional variations in access to treatment.
  
  
  
  Depressive disorders are a pressing public health concern in Chile, and particularly women, persons with low education, and the poorer regions of the country are affected. Prompt actions are needed to address the burden of depression with sufficient resources for treatment and prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. niina.markkula@helsinki.fi.|Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Monjitas 565, Santiago, Chile. niina.markkula@helsinki.fi.|National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland. niina.markkula@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Markkula
authors.affiliation: Barros Luco Hospital, Santiago, Chile.|Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zitko
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margozzini
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Retamal C
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depressive disorders; Epidemiology; Population survey; Risk factors