Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Major depressive disorder epidemiology and demographics
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The one-year prevalence of major depressive disorder is approximately 7,000 per 100,000 (7%) of the overall population with marked differences by age groups.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiology and Demographics
Incidence
- The annual incidence (the number of new cases) of a major depressive episode has been estimated as 1.59% (1.89% in women and 1.10% in men). [1]
Prevalence
- The twelve-month prevalence of major depressive disorder is 7,000 per 100,000 (7%) of the overall population.[1]
Age
- There are marked differences by age groups; for example, the prevalence of major depressive disorder in individuals aged 18-29-year-old is x3 higher than the prevalence in the individuals aged 60-year-old and more. In individuals with the onset of major depressive disorder in early adolescence, the prevalence is 1.5- to 3-fold higher in females than in males. [1]
Gender
- Major depressive disorder is more common in women. [1]
Sociocultrural
- Depressive disorders are more common among single and divorced individuals compared with married individuals. [1]
- There is no association between depressive disorders and socioeconomic status or religion.
Race
- There is no racial predilection to depressive disorders. [1]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mitra Chitsazan, M.D.[2]