Medical disorders affect health outcome and general functioning depending on comorbid major depression in the general population

Baune, Bernhard T., Adrian, Ina, and Jacobi, Frank (2007) Medical disorders affect health outcome and general functioning depending on comorbid major depression in the general population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 62 (2). pp. 109-118.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2...
 
68
3


Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), disability/work productivity, and health care utilization in a variety of medical disorders with and without comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) in the general population.

Methods: Twelve-month MDD (Composite International Diagnostic Interview) diagnosis was determined among 4181 participants from a community sample. Medical diagnoses (respiratory, cardiovascular, allergic, endocrine/metabolic, gastrointestinal, and neurological diseases) were made after medical examination. HR-QoL was evaluated with the MOS-SF-36. Outpatient doctor visits and disability/work productivity were assessed by self-report.

Results: Comorbid MDD was associated with a lower SF-36 mental summary score in all medical diagnoses and with a lower physical summary score in comorbid allergic and neurological disorders. The number of coexisting medical disorders was strongly related to lower physical and mental summary scores in cases without comorbid depression. The number of outpatient doctor visits increased by 42% when any of the medical disorders without comorbid MDD was present, and comorbid MDD was associated with a further 24–42% increase, depending on the medical disorder. Comorbid MDD was strongly associated with lower full-time working status (37.1% with MDD vs. 51.0% without MDD) and with a significant increase in disability days (45%) in the presence of any medical disorder.

Conclusions: Findings have consequences for diagnostic and treatment procedures, as well as in relation to the importance of the number of medical disorders in future studies.

Item ID: 2738
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1879-1360
Keywords: major depressive disorder; comorbidity; primary health care; quality of life; community sample; epidemiology
Date Deposited: 31 Aug 2009 06:05
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1103 Clinical Sciences > 110319 Psychiatry (incl Psychotherapy) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920410 Mental Health @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 3
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page