Lifetime prevalence of major depression and dysthymia: results of a community survey in Sardinia

Epidemiological data about depressive disorders emerging from European and North American community surveys are not easily comparable due to several methodological differences. Only in recent years have studies performed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) supplied comparable data. They support the evidence of higher prevalence rates of major depression (DSM-IIIR criteria) in European than in US and Canadian community studies carried out in the 1980s. Moreover, a new nationwide USA survey, using CIDI, confirmed a higher frequency of depressive disorders compared to ECA results. This report is part of a survey (‘Health in Sardinia’) which involved five urban districts of Cagliari, three rural areas and the same mining district involved in a previous community study. The present data concern four of the five urban districts and one rural area. Subjects were clinically interviewed with the CIDI Simplified, in the Italian version. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-IIIR criteria. Our study seems to confirm the general trend toward higher prevalence rates of major depression (lifetime prevalence 13.3) shown in earlier community studies.