Gender differences in the symptoms of major depression in opposite-sex dizygotic twin pairs

Objective: Gender differences in the symptoms of major depression have received limited research attention. The aim of this study was to explore these differences in male-female twin pairs. Method: Telephone interviews were conducted to determine the lifetime history of major depression in 1,404 complete pairs of opposite-sex dizygotic twins identified through a population- based registry. From these, the authors selected 201 pairs in which both twins fulfilled the DSM-III-R criteria for lifetime major depression. Dichotomous symptom variables were analyzed by using McNemar's chi-square. For continuous variables, conditional logistic regression was used. Results: Female twins reported experiencing significantly more fatigue, hypersomnia, and psychomotor retardation during the most severe major depressive episode, whereas male twins reported more insomnia and agitation. Conclusions: In this group of matched twins, gender differences in the symptoms of major depression were seen in the areas of sleep, psychomotor changes, and fatigue. Gender significantly modifies some clinical features of major depression.