Depression and diethylstilbestrol exposure in women

Fifty women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero, 50 of their unexposed sisters (sister controls) and 43 women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears (population controls) were tested using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule to assess differences in depression and other kinds of psychologic impairment possibly associated with DES exposure. There were significant differences between DES-exposed women and their sisters in major depression and major recurrent depression. Papanicolaou controls were more depressed in comparison to sister controls. However, there were no significant differences in depression between Papanicolaou controls and the DES exposed, suggesting that major and recurrent depressions are more likely to result from concern about reproductive and other gynecologic problems than from the hormonal effects of intrauterine exposure to DES. Differences in amphetamine abuse/dependence were also noted between the DES exposed and the sister controls.