TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender differences in major depressive disorder
T2 - Findings from the Singapore mental health study
AU - Picco, Louisa
AU - Subramaniam, Mythily
AU - Abdin, Edimansyah
AU - Vaingankar, Janhavi Ajit
AU - Chong, Siow Ann
PY - 2017/11/1
Y1 - 2017/11/1
N2 - Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide and has been associated with various sociodemographic risk factors, including age, gender and ethnicity. The present study aimed to establish whether gender-specific differences relating to the prevalence and correlates of MDD exist in the Singapore adult resident population. Methods The Singapore Mental Health Study was a population-based, cross-sectional epidemiological study among Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 18 years and above. Face-to-face interviews were completed with 6,616 respondents between December 2009 and December 2010. Psychiatric conditions were established using version 3.0 of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). In addition, data relating to chronic medical conditions was captured using a modified version of the CIDI checklist for chronic medical conditions. Results The lifetime prevalence of MDD was higher among women (7.2%) than men (4.3%). MDD was more prevalent among men and women who were divorced/separated and widowed women, as compared to those who were single. Among men, MDD was more prevalent among Indian and other ethnicities as compared to Chinese. Of the 417 respondents with MDD, women had significantly higher odds of having generalised anxiety disorder but lower odds of having high blood pressure, as compared to men. Conclusion The study highlighted key gender-specific correlates of MDD. Given the comorbidities associated with MDD and other psychiatric disorders and/or physical illnesses, these correlates pose additional challenges for care providers.
AB - Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide and has been associated with various sociodemographic risk factors, including age, gender and ethnicity. The present study aimed to establish whether gender-specific differences relating to the prevalence and correlates of MDD exist in the Singapore adult resident population. Methods The Singapore Mental Health Study was a population-based, cross-sectional epidemiological study among Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 18 years and above. Face-to-face interviews were completed with 6,616 respondents between December 2009 and December 2010. Psychiatric conditions were established using version 3.0 of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). In addition, data relating to chronic medical conditions was captured using a modified version of the CIDI checklist for chronic medical conditions. Results The lifetime prevalence of MDD was higher among women (7.2%) than men (4.3%). MDD was more prevalent among men and women who were divorced/separated and widowed women, as compared to those who were single. Among men, MDD was more prevalent among Indian and other ethnicities as compared to Chinese. Of the 417 respondents with MDD, women had significantly higher odds of having generalised anxiety disorder but lower odds of having high blood pressure, as compared to men. Conclusion The study highlighted key gender-specific correlates of MDD. Given the comorbidities associated with MDD and other psychiatric disorders and/or physical illnesses, these correlates pose additional challenges for care providers.
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Gender differences
KW - Mental disorders
KW - Prevalence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034859284&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.11622/smedj.2016144
DO - 10.11622/smedj.2016144
M3 - Article
C2 - 27526704
AN - SCOPUS:85034859284
SN - 0037-5675
VL - 58
SP - 649
EP - 655
JO - Singapore Medical Journal
JF - Singapore Medical Journal
IS - 11
ER -