DEPRESSION AND LIFESTYLE PATTERNS IN RELATION TO NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES – A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY IN A METROPOLITAN CITY OF INDIA
Major depression is a serious, recurrent disorder linked to diminished functioning and quality of life, medical morbidity, and mortality. WHO ranks depression as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide, and projects that by 2020, it will be the second leading cause. According to a WHO study, while around 9% of people in India reported having an extended period of depression within their lifetime, nearly 36% suffered from Major Depressive Episode (MDE).
The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of depression and measure its severity in persons attending OPD/ IPD services in a reputed medical college in New Delhi. This study also assessed their attitude and attention towards this problem.
METHODS:
A total of 200 people were interviewed and demographic information was gathered including age, gender, education and employment. Data was obtained on their involvement in physical activity, habits, any kind of family stress, medical history, intake of any medication, sleeping habits and presence of chronic backache. Special emphasis was given to obtain history of depression by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) IV Criteria and then classifying the severity of depression using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).
RESULTS:
Majority of the sample size was in the age group of 20-50 years and the presence of depression was studied against the different variables taken into consideration. Medical history was present in most of the subjects (88.5%) and amongst them 49.2% were found depressed. Overall, depression was more in females (53.8%) as compared to males (42.6%). Amongst the people in the age group of 51-60 years depression was found maximum (58.3%) as compared to other age groups studied.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression being the one of the most common mental disorders present in India. It is supported by a huge stigma and shame which prevents a patient from seeking medical help. Our study provides an insight and proves that common man is suffering due to this medical problem, subsequently demanding for more government attention towards growing burden of this problem.