Depressive disorder profile in Central Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v41i2.13969Keywords:
Depressive disorder, Primary health care, Population characteristics, PrevalenceAbstract
Objectives: To study the profile of depressive disorder (DD) according to sex, age, family type, and socioeconomic level, in Central Portugal.
Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with data from persons with DD, according to International Classification of Primary Health Care – 2nd edition codings, on 31st December 2022, in two Health Centres Groups (HCG) from the Central Region of Portugal, Pinhal Litoral, and Dão Lafões, randomly selected, health care centres clusters. Data were received from the informatics services of the Regional Health Administration of the Centre, assuring anonymity.
Results: In a population of n=556,332, a n=69,215 (12.4%) prevalence of DD in December 2022, 13.3% at Dão Lafões and 11.5% at Pinhal Litoral was found. Women represented 78.5% and 75.0% were aged 40 years or older. Of the 2,400 (3.5%) DD cases whose family type was known, 65.4% lived in a nuclear family. Of the 2,202 (3.2%) whose Graffar socioeconomic status was known, 58.1% were in the medium class. Males with DD were, on average, younger than female DDs (57.4 vs 58.9 years; p<0.001). The Graffar class was significantly different according to the type of family (p<0.001) and according to the DD’s age (p<0.001).
Discussion: In 2022, the prevalence of DD in the studied HCGs was higher in females and those aged 40 years or older, similar to what is described in the literature. Male DDs may be underdiagnosed. The higher prevalence of DD cases in the medium and medium-high Graffar classes is a matter for future studies.
Conclusion: In the Portuguese Central Portugal primary health care ambiance, DD was mainly frequent in females, persons aged 40 years or over, living in a nuclear family, and being in the Graffar medium class. Family type and Graffar were underfilled.
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