Factors associated with the onset of an episode of depressive symptoms in the general population

Journal article

2003 Jul 01

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

56

7

651-658

12921934

No

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between spinal pain, headache, health, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, and development of depressive symptomatology. METHODS: A population-based, random sample of adults was surveyed and followed at 6 and 12 months. Individuals at risk of depression at baseline are the subjects of this article (n=845). We used Cox proportional hazards models to measure the time-varying effects of demographic, socio-economic, and health status; comorbid medical conditions; spinal pain; and headaches on the development of depression. RESULTS: After adjusting for baseline depressive symptoms and factors associated with nonresponse to follow-up, we found that spinal pain severity, younger age, marital status (separated/divorced/widowed), self-perceived poor health status, and comorbid neurologic and gastro-intestinal disease were associated with onset of a new episode of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Important predictors of depressive symptomatology include demographic characteristics, health problems, and pain problems