SELF-RATED DEPRESSION IN 12,063 MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

A nationwide epidemiologic study among 5512 men and 6551 women aged 33 -60 years in Finland included the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (B DI). Of the men, 13.5% and, of the women, 20.2% had BDI scores of more than 9, indicating at least mild depression. A BDI score of more than 18 was found in 2.6% of the men and 4.0% of the women, indicating at least moderate depression. Mean BDI scores were higher for women than for men and increased significantly with age. In three-factor analysis , factor 1 (Performance Impairment) scores increased with age. Increas ed rates of depression in older subjects might be due to increased som atic symptoms mapping on to Factor 1, which included items such as fat igue, work inhibition, and sleep disturbance. Factor 2 (Negative Attit udes Toward Self) scores with items such as self-dislike, sense of fai lure, and guilt feelings did not increase with age. When assessing dep ression in older middle-aged adults, their increased tendency to repor t somatic symptoms should be noted.