The prevalence and risk of developing major depression among individuals with subthreshold depression in the general population

Abstract

Background Subthreshold depression could be a significant precursor to and a risk factor for major depression. However, reliable estimates of the prevalence and its contribution to developing major depression under different terminologies depicting subthreshold depression have to be established. Methods By searching PubMed and Web of Science using predefined inclusion criteria, we included 1 129 969 individuals from 113 studies conducted. The prevalence estimates were calculated using the random effect model. The incidence risk ratio (IRR) was estimated by measuring the ratio of individuals with subthreshold depression who developed major depression compared to that of non-depressed individuals from 19 studies (88, 882 individuals). Results No significant difference in the prevalence among the different terminologies depicting subthreshold depression (Q = 1.96, p = 0.5801) was found. By pooling the prevalence estimates of subthreshold depression in 113 studies, we obtained a summary prevalence of 11.02% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.78–12.33%]. The youth group had the highest prevalence (14.17%, 95% CI 8.82–20.55%), followed by the elderly group (12.95%, 95% CI 11.41-14.58%) and the adult group (8.92%, 95% CI 7.51–10.45%). Further analysis of 19 studies' incidence rates showed individuals with subthreshold depression had an increased risk of developing major depression (IRR = 2.95, 95% CI 2.33–3.73), and the term minor depression showed the highest IRR compared with other terms (IRR = 3.97, 95% CI 3.17–4.96). Conclusions Depression could be a spectrum disorder, with subthreshold depression being a significant precursor to and a risk factor for major depression. Proactive management of subthreshold depression could be effective for managing the increasing prevalence of major depression.

Sex differences in subjective cognitive impairment and clinical correlates in Chinese patients with subthreshold depression

“…Previous studies have found that women had a higher prevalence of SD than males [11,12]. The meta-analysis showed that the estimates of SD in females (13.8%) were significantly higher than in males (9.68%) [3], which was similar to MDD [13]. Bennett et al found gender differences in types of symptoms among depressed patients, with females being more likely to experience more depressed mood, appetite, and sleeping problems than males [14].…”

“…Even though SD is characterized by less severe symptoms than MDD, its health service utilization is greater than MDD on a population basis. Zhang et al [3] conducted a meta-analysis of data from 113 studies covering 1,129,969 individuals, finding a summary prevalence of 11.02%. The prevalence in the youth group (aged < 18), the adult group (aged 18-60), and the elderly group (aged > 60) was 14.17%, 8.92%, and 12.95%, respectively.…”

“…The prevalence in the youth group (aged < 18), the adult group (aged 18-60), and the elderly group (aged > 60) was 14.17%, 8.92%, and 12.95%, respectively. Moreover, individuals with SD are more vulnerable to developing MDD [3,4]. Previous studies have shown that individuals with SD report moderate functional impairment, have poorer quality of life [5,6], and tend to cope with enormous economic costs because of disability days [7].…”

A survey of autonomous monitoring systems in mental health

“…It is possible that this rate is much higher in those with subthreshold or minor depression. Although these symptoms has less severe, they are associated with a more significant burden on health services than major depression (Liu et al, 2020; Zhang et al, 2023).…”

Bias of Attentional Oscillations in Individuals with Subthreshold Depression: Evidence from a Pre-Cueing Facial Expression Judgment Task

“…Some researchers even suggest that SD is a mild form of major depression [ 22 ]. Given that SD is a significant precursor to and a major risk factor for major depressive disorder and that subthreshold depressive individuals have attentional bias [ 22 , 23 ], then SD is also closely related to individuals’ negative results, such as an increased burden of disease, impaired functioning, and suicide risk [ 24 ]. We decided to select subthreshold depressive individuals as our experimental participants.…”