Gender differences in chronic major and double depression

Background: While the sex difference in prevalence rates of unipolar depres sion is well established, few studies have examined Sender differences in c linical features of depression. Even less is known about gender differences in chronic forms of depression. Methods: 235 male and 400 female outpatien ts with DSM-III-R chronic major depression or double depression (i.e., majo r depression superimposed on dysthymia) were administered an extensive batt ery of clinician-rated and self-report measures. Results: Women were less l ikely to he married and had a younger age at onset and greater family histo ry of affective disorder compared to men. Symptom profile was similar in me n and women, with the exception of more sleep changes, psychomotor retardat ion and anxiety/somatization in women. Women reported greater severity of i llness and were more likely to have received previous treatment for depress ion with medications and/or psychotherapy. Greater functional impairment wa s noted by women in the area of marital adjustment, while men showed more w ork impairment. Limitations: Since our population consisted of patients enr olling in a clinical trial, study exclusion criteria may have affected gend er-related differences found. Conclusions: Chronicity of depression appears to affect women more seriously than men, as manifested by an earlier age o f onset, greater family history of affective disorders, greater symptom rep orting, poorer social adjustment and poorer quality of life. These findings represent the largest study to date of gender differences in a population with chronic depressive conditions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.