The influence of age and sex on the prevalence of depressive conditions: report from the National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity

Abstract

This large and representative survey adds considerably to the increasingly held view that the sex difference in prevalence of depression is less apparent in later middle age. This may be linked to the menopause, and our attempts to explain it in terms of obvious conditions among social variables were not successful. More specific studies are required to clarify the finding.

Point-Prevalence of Depression and Associated Risk Factors

“…Perhaps it reflects the greater somatic presentation of depressive symptoms in Latin American populations (Yusim et al, 2009). The results of this study coincide with the general literature regarding the greater incidence of depression for women than men, worldwide (Ayuso-Mateos et al, 2001;Bebbington et al, 1998;Gómez-Restrepo et al, 2004;Richards, 2011;Ustün et al, 2004).…”

Female Depression before and after Menopause

“…The female to male ratio was lower in depressed patients with onset after 40. This finding is in line with a recent report [9], and suggests that the endocrinological changes of menopause may change the biology of depression in women [9]. Female depression with onset after 40 had significantly more unipolar patients and fewer bipolar II patients than female depression with onset before 40.…”

“…Changes in the reproductive endocrine function may change CNS biology, with impacts on systems related to depression biology: estrogen increases norepinephrine synthesis, inhibits monoamine oxidase activity, alters dopamine receptor activity, raises β-endorphin levels, increases serotonin levels, increases the number of sites available for active transport of serotonin into brain cells and enhances the synthesis of acetylcholine by stimulating catechol-O-methyltransferase [3, 6, 8]. The gender difference in the prevalence of depression (more women than men) has been reported to be less apparent in later middle age [9]. This finding may be linked to menopause, meaning that the biology of female depression can change with age [9].…”

“…The gender difference in the prevalence of depression (more women than men) has been reported to be less apparent in later middle age [9]. This finding may be linked to menopause, meaning that the biology of female depression can change with age [9]. …”

Transplacental transfer of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in isolated perfused human placenta

“…Mood and anxiety disorders, especially depression, are common in women of reproductive age (ACOG 1993;Bebbington et al 1998). The prevalence of depression is 8-20% in women of childbearing age (Weissman et al 1991;Kessler et al 1993).…”