Overview

Abstract (English)

Major depressive disorder is a diagnostic category from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (now in its 5th edition, DSM-5). This category is attempt to delineate a clinically useful syndromal definition of depression from more transient and often less severe emotional changes that often occur in response to life events or for other reasons. When defined in this way, major depression is a common condition (major depressive episodes afflict about 5% of the Canadian population each year) and a burdensome one. However, its epidemiology remains poorly understood. A brief predictive diagnostic interview for major depression has been included in many Canadian national surveys, starting with the 1994 National Population Health Survey. Analyses of these data have helped to clarify the basic epidemiology of this condition in Canada. The availability of repeated estimates in association with the relatively homogeneous sampling and measurement strategies now provide an opportunity to examine the epidemiology in more detail and to explore aspects of it that have been previously neglected. Recent studies employing multiple datasets with adoption of various data synthesis strategies have helped to clarify secular trends in prevalence, identify seasonal and latitude differences, as well as allowing a description of previously neglected age-sex interactions.

Abstract (French)

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