Major depressive episode and physical health in adolescents and young adults: results from a population-based interview survey

Background: This paper aimed to investigate associations between major depressive episode ( MDE) and chronic illness, disability, self- perceived health and number of sick- days among adolescents and young adults in the general population. Methods: The Finnish Health Care Survey 1996 was a cross- sectional nationwide epidemiological study. A random sample of 509 adolescents and 433 young adults was interviewed in 1996. DSM- III- R MDE during the past 12 months was defined using The University of Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short- Form algorithm. Data on physical health were gathered in the interview. Results: In multivariable logistic regression, chronic illness [ odds ratio ( OR) 1.78; 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.03, 3.05], poor self- rated health ( OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.01, 5.07), more than three sick- days in the past 6 months ( OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.02, 2.92) and respiratory allergies ( OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.00, 5.75) were associated with MDE. Among 15- to 19- year- olds, disabling chronic illness was related to MDE ( OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.06, 6.36), and thoughts of death were more prevalent in the presence of chronic illness among those with MDE [ 35.2% versus 65.7%; F( 1,67) P 0.024]. Migraine was associated with MDE among young adults ( OR 6.18; 95% CI 1.14, 30.8). Conclusions: Symptoms of depression should be investigated among adolescents with chronic illness or frequent sick- days. The degree of reported disability should be noted. Young people with both chronic illness and depressive symptoms should be assessed for thoughts of death and possible suicidality.