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Related Experiment Videos

Gender differences in depression: findings from the STAR*D study.

Sheila M Marcus1, Elizabeth A Young, Kevin B Kerber

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, 2101 Commonwealth Blvd. Suite B, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. smmarcus@umich.edu

Journal of Affective Disorders
|June 29, 2005
PubMed
Summary

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Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects women more than men, with earlier onset and more anxiety symptoms in women. Men in the STAR*D trial reported higher rates of substance abuse.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibits consistent gender disparities in prevalence and clinical course.
  • The Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial offers a valuable dataset for investigating these gender differences in nonpsychotic MDD outpatients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore gender differences in sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and illness characteristics among outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD.
  • To analyze baseline data from the first 1500 STAR*D participants to identify potential gender-specific patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of baseline data from 1500 outpatients with MDD enrolled in the STAR*D trial.
  • Comparison of sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and illness characteristics between genders.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Stratification of data based on gender to identify significant differences.

    • Main Results:

    • Women constituted 62.8% of the sample and presented with an earlier age of onset for their first major depressive episode.
    • Women more frequently reported concurrent anxiety disorders, somatoform disorder, bulimia, and atypical depressive symptoms.
    • Men exhibited higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse.

    Conclusions:

    • The observed 1.7:1 prevalence of MDD in women versus men aligns with community samples, suggesting genuine gender differences rather than solely increased treatment-seeking behavior in women.
    • These exploratory findings highlight distinct gender-specific patterns in MDD presentation and comorbidities, warranting further hypothesis testing.