Socioeconomic burden of subsyndromal depressive symptoms and major depression in a sample of the general population

Objective: The authors ’ goal was to evaluate the association between impairment in daily f unction and subsyndromal depressive symptoms as well as major depression to determine the economic and societal significance of these conditions. Method: Using 12-month prevalence data gathered by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program (ECA), based on responses to the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule, the authors divided the 2,393 subjects from the Los Angeles ECA site into three groups: subjects with subsyndromal depressive symptoms (N=2 70), major depression (N = I 02), and no depres-sive disorder or symptoms (N=2,02 1). The groups were compared on I 0 domains of functional outcome and well-being. Results: Significantly more subjects with depressive symptoms than subjects who had no disorder reported high levels ofhousehold strain, social irritability, and f inancial strain as well as limitations in physical or job functioning, restricted activity days, bed days, and poor health status. Significantly more subjects with major depression than subjects with no disorder reported major financial losses, bed days, high levels of financial strain, limitations in physical or job functioning, and poor health status. Except for lower self-ratings of health status, no significant differences were found between subjects with sub