Risk factors for recurrent depression

January 01, 0001

Risk factors for recurrent depression

Major depression disorder has a substantial risk of recurrence. These Estonian researchers looked for factors associated with recurrent depression. They enrolled adult patients (aged 18-75, n=1094) from family practice offices across Estonia and were followed at 6 and 12 months. Modd was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and this was linked with the results of a questionnaire the patients completed.

The researchers found: "Major depression was diagnosed in 13% of the patients. Twenty-eight per cent of the depressed patients had a recurrent episode of depression 12 months later. The odds of having recurrent depression were significantly higher for patients who had a history of drug abuse, odds ratio (OR) 7.48, for patients who had experienced discrimination, OR 2.92 and for patients with a history of childhood abuse, OR 1.58."

The researchers concluded: "One-third of the patients developed recurrent depression. Drug abuse, discrimination and childhood abuse predicted recurrent depression. These factors should be taken into consideration by family doctors when managing patients with depression."

Some risk factors for recurrent depression at the 12-month mark are identified, especially drug use.

For the full abstract, click here.

Family Practice 28(1):22-28, February 2011 © The Author 2010
Factors associated with recurrent depression: a prospective study in family practice. Kadri Suijaa, Anu Aluojab, Ruth Kaldaa and Heidi-Ingrid Maaroosa. Correspondence to Kadri Suijaa: [email protected]

Category: P. Psychological. Keywords: depression, recurrence, risk factors, drug use, discrimination, prospective study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 26 April 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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