Sex Differences in the Prevalence and Detection of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in General Health Care Settings

Abstract

The absence of a sex-by-center effect for current depression and agoraphobia or panic disorder is consistent with biological and psychosocial factors, either interacting or working alone, that have a similar final effect across cultures. It does not support the idea that sex differences in prevalence are caused by local psychosocial factors that vary from country to country. The variation in the odds ratio for generalized anxiety disorder offers some support to the idea that there are local differences between the centers contributing to the sex difference in rates. Patients' sex does not appear to affect the likelihood of current depression and anxiety being detected by primary care physicians.

Molecular epidemiology of major depressive disorder

“…For studies conducted in Asia, pooled 12-month and lifetime rates were 0.85 (95% CI = 0.59-1.2) and 1.6 (approximately sevenfold lower than studies carried out in nonAsian countries [37]. The 12-month depression rates was highest among Hispanics (10.8%), followed by African Americans (8.9%) and Caucasians (7.8%) [52].…”

“…For studies conducted in Europe, the pooled 12-month prevalence rate was 8.0% (95% CI = 5.0-11.9) [37]. For studies conducted in Asia, pooled 12-month and lifetime rates were 0.85 (95% CI = 0.59-1.2) and 1.6 (approximately sevenfold lower than studies carried out in nonAsian countries [37].…”

“…Although studies using DSM-III-R criteria had pooled 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates that were around 3-4 times higher than those for studies using other diagnostic criteria [37], there was not a large difference between ICD-10 and DMS-IV criteria.…”

“…A review of pooled surveys of mood disorders in different countries found 12-month prevalence rates of 4.1% (95% CI = 0.4-6.2) for major depressive disorder [4.9% (95% CI = 3.3-7.1) for men and 10.0% (95% CI = 6.4-14.6%) for women]. The average lifetime prevalence found was 6.7% (95% CI = 4.2-10.1) for major depressive disorder [3.8% (95% CI = 2.4-5.8) for men and 7.5% (95% CI = 4.5-11.3) for women] [37]. Similarly, women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed and treated for major depressive disorder in the United States [38].…”

Developmental Contexts and Mental Disorders Among Asian Americans

“…The associations between generation and different psychiatric disorders may vary by gender, as men and women differ in rates and types of psychiatric disorders. Women are more likely to have depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints than men, whereas men are more likely to experience alcohol dependence and antisocial personality disorder than women (Gater et al, 1998;Kessler et al, 1994;Linzer et al, 1996;Piccinelli & Homen, 1997;World Health Organization, n.d.).…”