Clinical patterns of mood disorders in a sample of mood disorder patients in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background There are several conflicting findings on symptom manifestations of mood disorders in different cultures. Indeed, cultural elements appear to influence the expression of a number of secondary manifestations of the syndrome. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical presentations of mood disorders in a sample of mood disorder patients in the United Arab Emirates with reference to rural versus urban areas. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of mood disorder patients in rural and urban areas. Nearly 300 participants were taken equally from two sites of a rural area and nearly 200 were taken equally from two urban areas. This study was carried out on a sample of United Arab Emirates population representing 65 rural (155 patients) and 60 urban (82 patients) areas. Results As regards manic symptoms, irritable mood was significantly more prevalent in the urban population, whereas disruptive behavior was more common in the rural population. As regards the symptom profile of major depressive disorders, depressed mood, lost appetite, low energy, suicidal thoughts, motor retardation, and somatic symptoms were significantly more frequent in the rural population, whereas lack of pleasure, insomnia, lack of concentration, and agitation were significantly more common in the urban population. Conclusion Retardation, somatic symptoms, low energy, and loss of appetite were more common among depressive patients of the rural population. Agitation, lack of pleasure, and insomnia were more common among depressive patients of the urban population. Both populations had nearly the same percentage in all manic symptoms, with the exception of disruptive behavior, which was more common in the rural population, and irritable mood, which was more prevalent in the urban population.