Among medical outpatients, demoralization was identified in 30.4% and major depression in 16.7%, demonstrating that the two conditions frequently do not overlap.
Cross-Sectional (n=807)
What is the prevalence and overlap of demoralization and major depression in outpatients with medical disease?
There is a high prevalence of demoralization in medically ill outpatients, which can be differentiated from major depression.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of demoralization and major depression in the setting of medical disease. METHOD: 807 consecutive outpatients recruited from different medical settings (gastroenterology, cardiology, endocrinology, and oncology) were assessed according to DSM-IV criteria and Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research, using semistructured research interviews. RESULTS: Demoralization was identified in 245 patients (30.4%), while major depression was present in 135 patients (16.7%). Even though there was a considerable overlap between the 2 diagnoses, 59 patients (43.7%) with major depression were not classified as demoralized, and 169 patients (69.0%) with demoralization did not satisfy the criteria for major depression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a high prevalence of demoralization in the medically ill and the feasibility of a differentiation between demoralization and depression. Further research may determine whether demoralization, alone or in association with major depression, entails prognostic and clinical implications.
Mangelli et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Medical disease (n=807). Medical disease was evaluated on Presence of demoralization. Among medical outpatients, demoralization was identified in 30.4% and major depression in 16.7%, demonstrating that the two conditions frequently do not overlap.