Scott B Patten1, Jeanne V A Williams2, Dina H Lavorato2, Andrew G M Bulloch3, Kathryn Wiens4, JianLi Wang5. 1. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Member, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: patten@ucalgary.ca. 2. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 3. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Member, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 4. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada. 5. Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Member, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing provision of treatment should theoretically lead to a decreased burden of major depressive episodes (MDE) in the population. However, there is no evidence yet that this has occurred. Among possible explanations are that: (1) treatment may not be sufficiently accessible, effective or effectively delivered to make a difference at the population level or (2) treatment benefits such as diminished episode duration may be offset by other trends such as increasing episode incidence, or vice versa. METHODS: MDE prevalence has been assessed in a series of national surveys and in a single national longitudinal study in Canada. These studies included a short form version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview module for major depression. Indicators of incidence and episode duration of MDE were estimated. Meta-regression methods were used to examine trends over time. RESULTS: No evidence of increasing incidence nor of diminishing duration of MDE was found. The analysis failed to uncover evidence that the epidemiology of this condition has been changing. LIMITATIONS: Most studies included in this analysis used an abbreviated interview for MDE which may lack sensitivity and/or specificity. These studies could not address potential benefits of treatment on prevention of suicide. Some potentially offsetting effects could not be assessed, e.g. economic or societal changes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that more effective efforts to prevent MDE, or to improve the volume or quality of treatment, are necessary to reduced burden of MDE in the population.
BACKGROUND: Increasing provision of treatment should theoretically lead to a decreased burden of major depressive episodes (MDE) in the population. However, there is no evidence yet that this has occurred. Among possible explanations are that: (1) treatment may not be sufficiently accessible, effective or effectively delivered to make a difference at the population level or (2) treatment benefits such as diminished episode duration may be offset by other trends such as increasing episode incidence, or vice versa. METHODS: MDE prevalence has been assessed in a series of national surveys and in a single national longitudinal study in Canada. These studies included a short form version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview module for major depression. Indicators of incidence and episode duration of MDE were estimated. Meta-regression methods were used to examine trends over time. RESULTS: No evidence of increasing incidence nor of diminishing duration of MDE was found. The analysis failed to uncover evidence that the epidemiology of this condition has been changing. LIMITATIONS: Most studies included in this analysis used an abbreviated interview for MDE which may lack sensitivity and/or specificity. These studies could not address potential benefits of treatment on prevention of suicide. Some potentially offsetting effects could not be assessed, e.g. economic or societal changes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that more effective efforts to prevent MDE, or to improve the volume or quality of treatment, are necessary to reduced burden of MDE in the population.
Authors: Anders Malkomsen; Jan Ivar Røssberg; Toril Dammen; Theresa Wilberg; André Løvgren; Julie Horgen Evensen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-26 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Nikita van der Vinne; Madelon A Vollebregt; Michel J A M van Putten; Martijn Arns Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2017-07-15 Impact factor: 4.881
Authors: Rik Oldenkamp; Selwyn Hoeks; Mirza Čengić; Valerio Barbarossa; Emily E Burns; Alistair B A Boxall; Ad M J Ragas Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2018-10-22 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: André Løvgren; Jan Ivar Røssberg; Eivind Engebretsen; Randi Ulberg Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-19 Impact factor: 3.390