Depression and medical comorbidity

The association between major depression and other clinical conditions is frequently observed, leading to worse prognosis both on the psychiatric and clinical conditions, poorer compliance with therapy and increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Depression is often under diagnosed and under treated, mainly when depressive symptoms may be attributed to chronic diseases, such as fatigue and anorexia. Several diseases are clearly linked to depression, typical examples are cardiovascular disease, endocrinological conditions, kidney diseases, neoplasias, and chronic pain. The authors review and discuss the evidence in the literature that suggest such associations, with focus on the advances on the physiopathology and the psychiatric management.

Depression; medical comorbidity; mood disorders; mortality and morbidity