Comparison of the diagnosis of melancholic and atypical features accordingto DSM-IV and somatic syndrome according to ICD-10 in patients suffering from major depression

While melancholic (according to DSM) or somatic syndrome (according to ICD) has strong historical roots and substantial empirical verification, the co ncept of atypical features is relatively new and not sufficiently studied. The aim of the current study was to investigate the reliability of these di agnostic subcategories in patients suffering from major depression in Greec e. Forty patients (eight mates and 32 females) aged 19-60 years (mean 39.3, sd 12.2) suffering from major depression according to DSM-IV criteria were studied. SCAN v.2.0 was used to assess symptomatology. The presence of eac h criterion according to DSM-IV and ICD-10 was registered. Frequency tables were developed and factor and cluster analysis were performed. The results of the analysis suggest the existence of three syndromes which roughly ref lect the melancholic and atypical but also propose a third, which can he co nsidered as an 'undifferentiated' syndrome. The DSM demand that the existen ce of melancholic features be excluded first and then that diagnosis of aty pical features be made was confirmed. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et me dicales Elsevier SAS.