GENDER DIFFERENCES IN DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY-CARE

OBJECTIVES: To determine gender differences in the frequency and manif estation of depression in primary care. STUDY DESIGN: PRIME-MD(R), a n ew assessment tool, was tested in 1000 patients as an aid to diagnose depression in primary care patients. Answers to a self-assessment ques tionnaire completed by patients determined whether physicians administ ered the mood module in the Clinician Evaluation Guide to diagnose dep ression. Functional status was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Stud y Short Form (SF-20). RESULTS: More women than men were diagnosed as h aving a mood disorder (31% vs 19%; p < 0.01), and an antidepressant wa s newly prescribed only for women (p < 0.001). There were no gender di fferences in physician ratings of patients' health, but women rated th eir health significantly more poorly than did men. Similarly, function al impairment scores were significantly lower in women than in men. CO NCLUSIONS: Women are much more likely than men to have depressive diso rders, and when these disorders are diagnosed, to receive a prescripti on for antidepressant medication. Further research is needed to determ ine why women seem to suffer disproportionately from symptoms of depre ssion and signs of functional impairment.