The Prevalence of Chronic Physical Diseases Comorbid with Depression among Different Sex and Age Groups in South Korea: A Population-Based Study, 2007–2014

OBJECTIVE: People with depression often suffer from comorbid, chronic physical diseases. Little is known about how demographic characteristics such as age and sex influence the prevalence of chronic physical diseases comorbid with depression. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the age and sex differences in the prevalence of diverse, chronic physical diseases comorbid with depression. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey were conducted with the participants (n=45,598) of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Using log-binomial regression, age adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) of chronic physical diseases of participants with depression and those without depression were estimated for each sex and age group. RESULTS: The APR of most chronic physical diseases were significantly higher among respondents with depression than those without depression. Chronic physical diseases that showed the highest APR were asthma in adult male respondents (APR=3.46) and adult female respondents (APR=2.19) and chronic renal failure in elderly male respondents (APR=8.36) and elderly female respondents (APR=1.94). CONCLUSION: Prevalence ratios of the chronic physical diseases comorbid with depression differed according to sex and age groups. Collaborative care strategies should be designed according to demographic characteristics of the population.

A General Hospital-Based Model for Early Detection of Depression in the Geriatric Patients with Chronic Medical Diseases

The geriatric patients with chronic physical diseases are frequently associated with the continuous clusters of depression including nonpathological sadness, subsyndromal depression, minor depressive disorder, and major depressive disorder. Because of the complex and reciprocal relationships among depression, elderly, and chronic physical diseases, screening approaches with specific nosological methods should be needed in the realm of early detection of depression. Cognitive decline is frequently manifested in geriatric depression with medical or neurological diseases. Also, somatic symptoms of depression or emotional symptoms of physical diseases can play a role as a hampering factor in the early detection of depression. Furthermore, after-care has been regarded as an essential factor of depression screening in the geriatric patients with chronic physical diseases. We reviewed the most popular examples of integrated medicine for depression in primary care. Thus, we propose a general hospital-based model for early detection of depression which includes favorable response loop between screening and therapeutic intervention. Our model can be a basis for evidence-based detection and after-care for depression in the geriatric patients with chronic medical diseases.

Prospective Associations between Physical Disorders and Insomnia in Elders / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the associations between physical disorders and prevalent/incident insomnia in a community dwelling older population. METHODS: 1,204 people aged 65 or over evaluated at baseline. Insomnia was defined as difficulty in initiation or maintenance of sleep on at least three nights per week over the last month. Reported physical disorders covering 11 common and generally chronic health problems were ascertained. Covariates included were age, gender, education, housing, past occupation, current employment, and depression. Of 879 without insomnia at baseline, 651 (74%) were followed 2 years later, and incident insomnia was evaluated. RESULTS: Prevalent insomnia was significantly associated with 10 of 11 physical disorders. Incident insomnia was associated with 2 physical disorders: eyesight problems and hearing difficulty. Both prevalent and incident insomnia were significantly associated with increased number of physical disorders. CONCLUSION: Certain physical disorders were comorbid and precipitating factors of insomnia in elders.

Clinical Analysis of Concurrent Mental Disorders in Patients with Respiratory Diseases / 医学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between concurrent mental disorders and original respiratory diseases.Methods 35 cases diagnosed as severe respiratory diseases accompanied by various mental disorders from July 2005 to December 2008 were analyzed with the clinical presentation,examination,diagnosis and treatment.Results After the treatments of the original respiratory diseases and the necessary psychiatric drugs,the original respiratory diseases relieved and the symptoms of mental disorders disappeared.Conclusion Much more attention should be paid to concurrent mental disorders of respiratory diseases,and the timely treatments of symptoms of mental disorders will be of benefit to the therapy of original diseases.