Predictors of Recurrent Sickness Absence Due to Depressive Disorders – a Delphi Approach Involving Scientists and Physicians.

Predictors of recurrent sickness absence due to depressive disorders – a delphi approach involving scientists and physicians.

Filed under: Depression Treatment

PLoS One. 2012; 7(12): e51792
Norder G, Roelen CA, van Rhenen W, Buitenhuis J, Bültmann U, Anema JR

Depression is a common and highly recurrent mental disorder that is accompanied by poor functioning at home and at work. Not all depressed employees report sick and little is known about variables associated with sickness absence (SA) due to depression. Recurrent SA due to depression tends to marginalize employees from the workforce and exclude them from social participation. Therefore, this study sought group consensus on factors predicting recurrent SA due to depression.23 scientists in the field of work and mental health and 23 physicians with expertise in assessing work disability were invited for a Delphi study. Sixty-seven factors retrieved from the literature were scored for their impact on the recurrence of SA due to depression, range 1 (no impact) to 10 (very high impact) in two Delphi rounds. The third Delphi round addressed the assessability and modifiability of elected predictors. Group consensus was defined as 75% agreement. In the first round (response 78%), group consensus was reached on a high impact of 13 factors on recurrent SA due to depression. The second round (response 79%) added another 8 factors with high impact on recurrent SA due to depression. The panelists were of the opinion that stressful life and work events, age at first diagnosis, duration of the last depressive episode, anxiety, lifetime number of depressive episodes, and psychological work demands were readily assessable in consultation with patients. Furthermore, work factors, particularly decision latitude, psychological job demands, and commitment to work, were recognized as modifiable.Although results have to be validated with further quantitative research, physicians may identify employees at risk of recurrent SA due to depression and may support them to adjust their work aimed at increasing commitment to work and preventing future SA due to depression.
HubMed – depression

The Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Men Arrested for Domestic Violence.

Filed under: Depression Treatment

J Fam Violence. 2012 Nov 1; 27(8): 741-748
Shorey RC, Febres J, Brasfield H, Stuart GL

The problem of male perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread. In an effort to identify risk factors for perpetrating IPV, researchers have examined mental health problems among perpetrators. However, the majority of research in this area has examined personality psychopathology and/or limited their investigation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Thus, the present study examined self-reported Axis I psychopathology among men arrested for domestic violence (N = 308). Results replicated past research showing high rates of PTSD and depression. In addition, the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social phobia, and alcohol and drug disorders were very high. All types of mental health problems were positively associated with aggression perpetration. Males meeting probable diagnostic classification reported significantly more frequent aggression than males not meeting diagnostic classification, even after controlling for social desirability. Directions for future research and implications of these findings are discussed.
HubMed – depression

Differential mortality rates in major and subthreshold depression: meta-analysis of studies that measured both.

Filed under: Depression Treatment

Br J Psychiatry. 2013 Jan; 202: 22-7
Cuijpers P, Vogelzangs N, Twisk J, Kleiboer A, Li J, Penninx BW

Although the association between depression and excess mortality has been well established, it is not clear whether this is greater in major depression than in subthreshold depression.To compare excess mortality in major depression with that in subthreshold depression.We searched bibliographic databases and included prospective studies in which both major and subthreshold depression were examined at baseline and mortality was measured at follow-up.A total of 22 studies were included. People with major depression had a somewhat increased chance of dying earlier than people with subthreshold depression but this difference was not significant, although there was a trend (relative risk 1.13, 95% CI 0.98-1.30, P = 0.1). The population attributable fraction was 7% for major depression and an additional 7% for subthreshold depression.Although excess mortality may be somewhat higher in major than in subthreshold depression, the difference is small and the overall impact on excess mortality is comparable.
HubMed – depression

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