Epidémiologie de la dépression : données récentes I. Epidémiologie descriptive

Psychopathological and sociodemographic characteristics of 1231 depressed patients with and without co-existing alcoholism

The relationship of depression and alcoholism has given rise to a large number of studies with alcoholic patients screened for depression but only little information is available on the comparison of depressed patients with and without co-existing alcoholism, indicating similarities in symptom patterns but lower intensity of depression in alcoholic depressives. One thousand two hundred and thirty-one subjects were evaluated for inclusion in an open multicentre trial for one year long treatment with tianeptine, a new antidepressant. Patients had to fulfill DSM III criteria for major depression single episode, recurrent (without melancholia or psychotic features) or dysthymic disorder. Upon inclusion, 23% of those depressed patients also had a DSM III diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. Results confirm the overall lower intensity of depression in the alcoholic-depressed subgroup with a symptom pattern corresponding more to retarded depression in the pure depression subgroup. On the contrary, alcoholic depressives had a higher rate of precipitating life-events and more social difficulties than non-alcoholic depressives. No differences were found regarding duration of the actual illness episode, medical and psychiatric history.

Depression in Benin: an assessment using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale and the principal component analysis

Ninety two major depressed outpatients were rated with the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) in Cotonou, in Benin (West-Africa). Patients satisfied modified DSM III major depression criteria and were French-speaking. Men, civil servants, and city dwellers were over-represented in the population sample. The examination of item frequency yielded rather 'western-like' clinical features of depression: with differences described previously: a lower frequency of suicidal thoughts and guilt feelings, a higher frequency of somatic complaints and ideas of persecution. Principal component analysis reinforced 'western-like' aspects. The relationship between the so-called 'western culture-bound symptoms' and the so-called 'African ones' is discussed.