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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 3/2009

01-03-2009 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Persistent depressive disorders and social stress in people of Pakistani origin and white Europeans in UK

Authors: Richard Gater, Barbara Tomenson, Carol Percival, Nasim Chaudhry, Waquas Waheed, Prof. Graham Dunn, Prof. Gary Macfarlane, Prof. Francis Creed

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2009

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Abstract

Introduction

We compared depression, social stress and treatment in people of Pakistani origin and white Europeans living in an UK city.

Method

In a population-based two-phase sample of 1,856 adults we interviewed 651 (77%) of eligible participants, using the schedule for clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry and life events and difficulties schedule. We identified 216 people with depressive and 208 with subthreshold disorder; after 6-months we re-interviewed 398 (94% response).

Results

Depressive disorder was more common in Pakistani women only (31.1% [24.1–38.0] vs.19.3% [14.1–24.5]) and persisted more often in Pakistanis over 50 years of age (90 vs.66%, P = 0.023). New episodes of depressive disorder occurred in 17% of participants who had subthreshold disorder at baseline in each ethnic group. Persistent depression in the Pakistani group was associated with continuing problems of disabling physical illness and close relationships. Treatment was limited and not associated with persistent depression.

Conclusions

Persistent depressive disorder in older people of Pakistani origin is associated with potentially remediable factors.
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Metadata
Title
Persistent depressive disorders and social stress in people of Pakistani origin and white Europeans in UK
Authors
Richard Gater
Barbara Tomenson
Carol Percival
Nasim Chaudhry
Waquas Waheed
Prof. Graham Dunn
Prof. Gary Macfarlane
Prof. Francis Creed
Publication date
01-03-2009
Publisher
Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0426-x

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