[Depression and alcoholism: a potential familial-genetic relationship]

In the paper, a review of literature was done for a potential familialgenetic relationship between alcohol dependence and depression. The incidence of secondary alcoholism in patients with depression may have different pathogenesis depending on gender: men with primary depression and alcoholism may exhibit two distinct illnesses, while in women secondary alcoholism may be a form of affective disorder (depression spectrum disease). Studies on the prevalence of alcohol dependence in families of depressive patients are inconsistent: some authors observed an increased risk of alcohol dependence while others did not. Secondary depression in alcohol dependent patients usually results from the pharmacological effect of alcohol, is concommittant with withdrawal syndrome or may be connected with psychological problems related to alcohol abuse. Usually, such depressive symptoms improve within 2-4 weeks after cessation of drinking and do not require additional treatment. However, the risk of major depression in alcohol-dependent persons is twice as high as in general population. Among various contemporary hypotheses about the genetic link between alcohol dependence and depression, a conception of "depressive spectrum", formulated by Winokur, received the strongest support from clinical and familial studies.