[Study of socio-demographic factors in the treatment of unipolar major depression in a follow-up clinical trial].

INTRODUCTION

Depression is one of the most widespread illnesses of our time, currently affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Literature identifies several socio-demographic risk factors in the development of the depression.

AIM: We aim to examine the socio-demographic factors involved in the remission of clinically diagnosed unipolar major depression.

METHOD: Data collection was performed during 2016, at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic from Tirgu Mures. Participants were patients reporting no other physical or psychiatric disorder. Self-reporting questionnaire assessed socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, neighborhood, education, marital status, employment, and unemployed period. DSM-5 criteria were used in diagnosis, and the severity and status tracking was assessed with the 17-item version of the Hamilton Depression Scale. The age distribution of the sample was between 18-65 years of age, 44 male (28.9%) and 108 female (71.1%), 66 inpatients and 86 outpatients. Patients received medication for 12 weeks, and were involved in HAM-D 17 testing when hospitalized, at 8 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Scores of depression decreased significantly after 8 and 12 weeks of the treatment. Gender, age, and neighborhood did not influence the treatment, but patients with high education manifested less depressive symptoms at the end of treatment. Among married patients depression score was lower than among unmarried, and employees showed lower depression scores comparing to long-term unemployed patients.

CONCLUSION

Marital status and employment were relevant predictors of remission, proving a significant effect on the treatment outcomes. Thus, psychotherapeutic intervention is recommendable in the case of single and unemployed patients. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(43): 1715-1722.