ABSTRACT
Depression is a common mental health problem, seen frequently in general medical settings. Primary care physicians are more likely to see patients with depression than with any other disorder except hypertension. To estimate the percentage of depressive disorders among patients attending outpatient clinics of Assiut University Hospitals, and to study the possible risk factors underlying these depressive disorders. This cross-sectional study was conducted during one year period from June 1[st] 2006 to May 31[st] 2007. 2034 subjects aged 15 and above were screened for depression using Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] scale. Subjects who scored 4 or more were further evaluated through psychiatric sheet especially prepared for the present work. Psychiatric diagnosis was made on the basis of DSM-IV TR criteria. Patients were also subjected to Suicidality sheet of the MINI plus and Sheehan Disability Scale. Depression was found in 202 subjects representing 8.8% of the whole sample, with 167 patients [82.7%] were classified as having major depressive disorders, 28 patients [13.9%] were assessed to have depressive disorder NOS [26 patients [12.9%] with minor depression and only 2 patients [1%] with postpartum depression], 5 patients [2.5%] were diagnosed with dysthymic disorder and finally 2 patients [1%] with bipolar disorder, depressive episode. Depression was significantly higher among female subjects, highly educated and literate individuals, non-working males and among divorced/widowed/separated individuals. Depressive disorders were also significantly higher among patients with Dcertain medical conditions [e.g. malignancy, disfiguring conditions, autoimmune conditions, renal diseases and hepatic diseases] and among those who had more medical conditions. The degree of impairment is significantly higher among patients with moderate and severe depression and particularly in patients with severe depression with psychotic features. Suicidality is significantly higher among patients with severe depression and particularly among patients with severe depression with psychotic features. Depression is a common mental health problem, seen frequently in general medical settings and necessitates close psychiatric attention and management