Criteria For Major Depression Research Articles

Validity of remission and recovery criteria for schizophrenia and major depression: comparison of the results of two one-year follow-up naturalistic studies.

The objective of the present study was the application and comparison of common remission and recovery criteria between patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD) under inclusion of other outcome parameters. Patients with schizophrenia and MDD who were treated as inpatients at the beginning of the study were examined within two naturalistic follow-up trials from admission to discharge of an inpatient treatment period and the one-year follow-up assessment. PANSS criteria of the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) for schizophrenia and HAMD criteria of the ACNP Task Force in MDD for depressive patients as well as the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were applied as symptomatic outcome measures additionally to functional outcome parameters. Data of 153 schizophrenia patients and 231 patients with a MDD episode have been included in the analysis. More depressive than schizophrenia patients reached a threshold score of ≤3 on the CGI-S, indicating symptomatic remission at discharge and at the one-year follow-up. In contrast similar proportions of patients reaching symptomatic remission at discharge from inpatient treatment and at the one-year follow-up in the schizophrenia and in the MDD group were found when disease-related consensus criteria (RSWG vs. ACNP Task Force) were used. Functional remission and recovery rates were significantly lower in schizophrenia than in depressive patients at the one-year follow-up visit. Common outcome criteria for remission and recovery in schizophrenia and major depression were not directly comparable. However, our results indicated a significantly poorer outcome in schizophrenia than in depressive patients according to terms of remission and recovery.

Prevalence and factors associated with depression symptoms among school-going adolescents in Central Uganda.

BackgroundDepression in adolescents constitutes a global public health concern. However, data on its prevalence and associated factors are limited in low income countries like Uganda.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional descriptive study design, 519 adolescent students in 4 secondary schools in Mukono district, Uganda, were randomly selected after meeting study criteria. The 4 school types were: boarding mixed (boys and girls) school; day mixed school; girls’ only boarding school; and, boys’ only boarding school. The 519 participants filled out standardized questionnaires regarding their socio-demographic characteristics and health history. They were then screened for depression using the Children Depression Inventory (CDI) and those with a cut-off of 19 were administered the Mini International Neuro-Psychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents 2.0 (MINI-KID), to ascertain the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM IV) diagnostic types of depression and any co morbidity. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with significant depression symptoms (a score of 19 or more on the CDI).ResultsThere were 301 (58 %) boys and 218 (42 %) girls with age range 14–16 years and a mean age of 16 years (SD 2.18). Of 519 participants screened with the CDI, 109 (21 %) had significant depression symptoms. Of the 109 participants with significant depression symptoms, only 74 were evaluated with the MINI-KID and of these, 8 (11 %) met criteria for major depression and 6 (8 %) met criteria for dysthymia. Therefore, among participants that were assessed with both the CDI and the MINI-KID (n = 484), the prevalence of depressive disorders was 2.9 %. In this sample, 15 (3.1 %) reported current suicidal ideation. In the logistic regression analyses, significant depression symptoms were associated with single-sex schools, loss of parents and alcohol consumption.LimitationsThis is a cross-sectional study therefore, causal relationships are difficult to establish. Limited resources and the lack of collateral information precluded the assessment of a number of potential factors that could be associated with adolescent depression. The MINI-KID was administered to only 74 out of 109 students who scored ≥19 on the CDI since 35 students could not be traced again due to limited resources at the time.ConclusionsSignificant depression symptoms are prevalent among school-going adolescents and may progress to full-blown depressive disorders. Culturally sensitive psychological interventions to prevent and treat depression among school-going adolescents are urgently needed.

Depression as Measured by PHQ-9 Versus Clinical Diagnosis as an Independent Predictor of Long-Term Mortality in a Prospective Cohort of Medical Inpatients.

Depression has been associated with higher rates of mortality in medical patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of depression in medical inpatients on the rate of mortality during a prolonged follow-up period. This is a prospective follow-up study of a cohort of medical inpatients assessed during 1997-1998 in medical and surgical units at a tertiary university hospital in Spain and followed-up for a period ranging between 16.5 and 18 years. Eight hundred three patients were included; 420 (52.3%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 41.7 (13.8) years. Main outcome was death for any cause during follow-up. The original full Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was administered at baseline as self-report from which the PHQ-9 was derived. Depressive disorders were assessed using PHQ-9 and a structured clinical interview (Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition). Depressive disorders as defined by PHQ-9 were detected in 206 patients (25.7%), 122 (15.2%) of them fulfilling criteria for major depression. During follow-up, 152 patients (18.9%) died. A PHQ score indicating the presence of major depressive disorder predicted increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.44; 95% CI, 1.39-4.29), even after adjusting for important demographic and clinical variables. Similarly, the PHQ-9 score as a continuous measure of depression severity predicted increased mortality (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.10). Results were similar for clinical interview diagnoses of major depression (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.04-4.09). Medical inpatients with a PHQ depressive disorder had a nearly 2-fold higher risk of long-term mortality, even after adjustment for several confounders. Depression severity as represented by the PHQ-9 score was also a risk factor.

Depression and Pain in Heart Transplant Recipients: An Observational Study.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with adult heart transplant recipients. Pain was measured with the bodily pain domain of the Short Form-36 Health Survey and psychological distress with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, version 6.0, was used to identify participants meeting the criteria for major depression. Hierarchical linear regression was used to determine if there was an association between pain and major depression, controlling for pharmacological treatment of depression, severity of psychological distress, and clinical characteristics including immunosuppression medication which may induce pain as a side effect. Average pain score of the 48 heart transplant recipients was 43 ( SD ± 10, range 0-100, lower scores indicate worse pain), with moderate pain reported by 39% ( n = 19). Major depression was associated with worse pain ( R2 change = 36%, β = -16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-30, -4], p = .012). Pharmacological treatment for depression was associated with better pain scores ( R2 change = 1.5%, β = 13, 95% CI [4, 23], p = .006). Heart transplant recipients with major depression had worse pain after controlling for pharmacological treatment of depression, severity of psychological distress, and clinical characteristics. Thus, it is imperative that clinicians devising a treatment regimen for pain in heart transplant recipients take into account co-occurring depression and vice versa.

Mental disorder in limb reconstruction: Prevalence, associations and impact on work disability

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and drug and alcohol dependence in a limb reconstruction population and examine associations with demographic and functional variables. MethodsAs part of routine clinical care, data were collected from 566 patients attending a tertiary referral centre for limb reconstruction between April 2012 and February 2016. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol and drug dependence were measured using standardised self-report screening tools. Results173 patients (30.6% CI 26.7–34.4) screened positive for at least one of the mental disorders assessed. 110 (19.4% CI 16.2–22.7) met criteria for probable major depression; 112 (19.9% CI 16.6–23.2) patients met criteria for probable generalised anxiety disorder; and 41 (7.6% CI 5.3–9.8) patients met criteria for probable PTSD. The prevalence of probable alcohol dependence and probable drug dependence was 1.6% (CI 0.6–2.7) and 4.5% (CI 2.7–6.3), respectively. Patients who screened positive for depression, anxiety and PTSD reported significantly higher levels of pain, fatigue, and functional impairment. Depression and anxiety were independently associated with work disability after adjustment for covariates (OR 1.98 (CI 1.08–3.62) and OR 1.83 (CI 1.04–3.23), respectively). ConclusionThe high prevalence and adverse associations of probable mental disorder in limb reconstruction attest to the need for routine psychological assessment and support. Integrated screening and management of mental disorder in this population may have a positive impact on patients' emotional, physical and occupational rehabilitation. A randomised controlled trial is needed to test this hypothesis.

Overlooking Informal Dementia Caregivers' Burden.

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) need early caregiver support. Caregivers often have poor health, but usually do not have time to seek medical advice for their own conditions. Patients' physicians, who are frequently the sole medical practitioner caregivers contact regularly, have an important function in recognizing family caregivers' burdens. The current study investigated to what extent medical practitioners recognized family caregivers' problems. In a two-staged survey in neurology outpatient care, caregivers of patients with mild or moderate AD were enrolled and assessed by physicians regarding their physical and mental burden, as well as need for help and advice about AD. Subsequently, caregivers' mental health was evaluated in a comprehensive diagnostic interview by blinded psychologists. Overall, 73.7% of caregivers had at least one somatic condition and 43.7% had clinically relevant depressive symptoms (of these, 37.5% met criteria for major depression). The findings suggest that the burden of a substantial proportion of affected family caregivers is overlooked. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2016; 9(4):167-174.].

Parenting Styles and Psychological Correlates in a Sample of Egyptian Adolescents With Substance-use Disorders

Objectives: To study parenting styles and psychological correlates among a group of Egyptian adolescents with substance-use disorder. Materials and Methods: A case-control study conducted at the Adolescents’ substance abuse outpatient clinic, Helwan Psychiatric Hospital. The case group of 81 male adolescents, age range 12 to 18 years, with substance-use disorders matched with the control group of 80 volunteer male adolescents who had never used drugs. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire of Parental Attitudes as Realized by Adolescents were applied on members of both groups. Results: The case group had a higher positive family history of psychiatric illness and drug abuse (P=0.006, <0.001). Mothers of patients in the case group showed higher independent parenting (P=0.039) and consistency (P=0.02), whereas their fathers showed significant rejection (P<0.001). Cases had higher psychoticism and neuroticism (P<0.001, 0.001). Significantly more patients in the case group met the criteria of major depression, and conduct, oppositional defiant, psychotic, and mood disorders with psychotic features. Also, there was a significantly higher suicidality risk (P<0.001) among patients in the case group. Conclusions: Adolescents with substance-use disorder had a more significant family history of psychiatric illness and substance abuse. Their mothers unexpectedly adopted a more consistent and independent parental style, whereas fathers were more rejecting and had an overall negative parental style. Adolescents in the case group had significantly higher psychoticism and neuroticism. Moreover, they met the criteria of major depressive disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, lifetime psychotic disorders, and mood disorder with psychotic features significantly more than the adolescents in the control group.

Suicidality in primary care patients who present with sadness and anhedonia: a prospective European study.

BackgroundSadness and anhedonia (loss of interest in activities) are central symptoms of major depression. However, not all people with these symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for major depression. We aimed to assess the importance of suicidality in the outcomes for primary care patients who present with sadness and anhedonia.MethodCohort study of 2,599 unselected primary care attenders in six European countries followed up at 6 and 12 months.Results1) In patients with sadness and/or anhedonia who were not depressed at entry to the study, suicide plans (OR = 3.05; 95 % CI = 1.50–6.24; p = 0.0022) and suicide attempts (OR = 9.08; 95 % CI = 2.57–32.03; p = 0.0006) were significant predictors of developing new onset depression at 6 or 12 months. 2) In patients with sadness and/or anhedonia who met CIDI criteria for major depression at entry, suicidal ideation (OR = 2.93; 95 % CI = 1.70–5.07; p = 0.0001), suicide plans (OR = 3.70; 95 % CI = 2.08–6.57; p < 0.0001), and suicide attempts (OR = 3.33; 95 % CI = 1.47–7.54; p = 0.0040) were significant predictors of persistent depression at 6 or 12 months.ConclusionsThree questions on suicidality could help primary care professionals to assess such patients more closely without necessarily establishing whether they meet criteria for major depression.

Management of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease

Management of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease

Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse freeze-dried aqueous extract versus sertraline in the treatment of major depression: A double blind randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression is the most common psychiatric disorder in the world. The conventional medications for depression, however, often have significant side effects. These adverse effects of conventional therapies, have motivated researchers to study alternative options including complementary and traditional treatments for solving the problem. ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse freeze-dried aqueous extract with sertraline in the treatment of major depression. Design and settingFrom April to September of 2015, 72 patients from two psychiatry clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences who met the criteria for major depression based on the structured clinical interview as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, participated in a two-armed double-blind randomized controlled trial. InterventionSubjects were randomly assigned to receive Nepeta menthoides or sertraline for four weeks. Outcome measuresPatients were evaluated in terms of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) total score and common side effects of medications at the base line, the second and fourth weeks, and two weeks following the intervention (i.e. in the sixth week). ResultsThe mean changes in the Beck Depression Inventory scores in Nepeta menthoides group were significantly higher in terms of the BDI-II scores diminution as compared to that of the control (p≤0.001). Two weeks follow up after intervention showed a lower recurrence rate in the Nepeta menthoides group (p≤0.001). ConclusionNepeta menthoides may have potential benefits in the control of mood in patients suffering from major depression. Sustention of antidepressant effect and delay in the recurrence of depression could be considered worthwhile using this herb.

Evaluation of a multicomponent programme for the management of musculoskeletal pain and depression in primary care: a cluster-randomised clinical trial (the DROP study).

BackgroundChronic musculoskeletal pain and depression are very common in primary care patients. Furthermore, they often appear as comorbid conditions, resulting in additive effect on adverse health outcomes. On the basis of previous studies, we hypothesise that depression and chronic musculoskeletal pain may benefit from an integrated management programme at primary care level. We expect positive effects on both physical and psychological distress of patients.MethodsObjective: To determine whether a new programme for an integrated approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression leads to better outcomes than usual care.Design: Cluster-randomised controlled trial involving two arms: a) control arm (usual care); and b) intervention arm, where patients participate in a programme for an integrated approach to the pain-depression dyad.Settings: Primary care centres in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain,Participants: We will recruit 330 patients aged 18–80 with moderate or severe musculoskeletal pain (Brief Pain Inventory, average pain subscale ≥5) for at least 3 months, and with criteria for major depression (DSM-IV).Intervention: A multicomponent programme according to the chronic care model. The main components are care management, optimised antidepressant treatment, and a psychoeducational group action.Blind measurements: The patients will be monitored through blind telephone interviews held at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months.Outcomes: Severity of pain and depressive symptoms, pain and depression treatment response rates, and depression remission rates.Analysis: The outcomes will be analysed on an intent-to-treat basis and the analysis units will be the individual patients. This analysis will consider the effect of the study design on any potential lack of independence between observations made within the same cluster.Ethics: The protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Jordi Gol Primary Care Research Institute (IDIAP), Barcelona, (P14/142).DiscussionThis project strengthens and improves treatment approaches for a major comorbidity in primary care. The design of the intervention takes into account its applicability under typical primary care conditions, so that if the programme is found to be effective it will be feasible to apply it in a generalised manner.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02605278; Registered 28 September, 2015.

Policy Statement on the Incarceration of Undocumented Migrant Families: Society for Community Research and Action Division 27 of the American Psychological Association.

Policy Statement on the Incarceration of Undocumented Migrant Families: Society for Community Research and Action Division 27 of the American Psychological Association.

"The sun has set even though it is morning": Experiences and explanations of perinatal depression in an urban township, Cape Town.

This study examined experiences and explanations of depression amongst Xhosa-speaking pregnant women, mothers, and health workers in an urban township in Cape Town, South Africa. The study was conducted as part of formative research for a randomised controlled trial to develop and evaluate a task-sharing counselling intervention for maternal depression in this setting. We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 12 depressed and 9 nondepressed pregnant women and mothers of young babies, and 13 health care providers. We employed an in-depth framework analysis approach to explore the idioms, descriptions, and perceived causes of depression particular to these women, and compared these with the ICD-10 and DSM-5 criteria for major depression. We found that symptoms of major depression are similar in this township to those described in international criteria (withdrawal, sadness, and poor concentration), but that local descriptions of these symptoms vary. In addition, all the symptoms described by participants were directly related to stressors occurring in the women's lives. These stressors included poverty, unemployment, lack of support from partners, abuse, and death of loved ones, and were exacerbated by unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and the discovery of HIV positive status at antenatal appointments. The study calls attention to the need for specifically designed counselling interventions for perinatal depression that are responsive to the lived experiences of these women and grounded in the broader context of poor socioeconomic conditions and living environments in South Africa, all of which have a direct impact on mental health.

A meta-analysis of chemokines in major depression

Chemokines are increasingly recognised as playing a role in depression. Here we meta-analyse the data on concentrations of all chemokines in patients diagnosed with a major depression versus healthy controls. We included studies which utilised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV diagnostic criteria for major depression, participants free from major medical conditions, studies with healthy controls, and unstimulated measurements of chemokines. We only included chemokines which had ≥3 studies performed. Two chemokines and 15 studies in total met criteria for this meta-analysis; 8 for Monocyte Chemotactic Protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 (n=747), and 7 for Interleukin (IL)-8/CXCL8 (n=560). There were significantly higher concentrations of CCL2/MCP-1 in depressed subjects compared with control subjects – overall mean difference of 36.43pg/mL (95% CI: 2.43 to 70.42). There was significant heterogeneity across these studies (I2=98.5%). The estimates of mean difference between the control and depression groups did not remain significant when the trim-and-fill procedure was used to correct for publication bias. There was no significant difference in concentrations of IL-8/CXCL8 in depressed subjects compared with control subjects. Significant heterogeneity was found across these studies (I2=96.7%). The estimates of mean difference between the control and depression groups remained non-significant when the trim-and-fill procedure was used to correct for publication bias. This meta-analysis reports significantly heterogeneity in this field among studies. There are higher concentrations of the chemokine MCP-1/CCL2 in depressed subjects compared with control subjects, and no differences for IL-8/CXCL8. More high quality research and consistent methodologies are needed in this important area of enquiry.

Depression and Multiple Rehospitalizations in Patients With Heart Failure

There have been few studies of the effect of depression on rehospitalization in patients with heart failure (HF), and even fewer on its role in multiple rehospitalizations. Depression is an independent risk factor for multiple readmissions in patients with HF. A cohort of 662 patients with HF who were discharged alive after hospitalization were interviewed to evaluate symptoms of depression and were followed for 1 year. All-cause readmissions were documented by chart review. A marginal proportional rates model was used to model the effect of depression on the rate of rehospitalization with adjustment for known predictors of HF outcomes. Depression symptoms predicted multiple readmissions (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.13, P = 0.0008). Compared with patients without depression, those who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for major depression at index were at the highest risk for multiple rehospitalizations (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.15-1.97, P = 0.003). Depression is an independent risk factor for multiple all-cause readmissions in patients with HF.

Adolescent depression, adult mental health and psychosocial outcomes at 30 and 35 years.

There is limited information on long-term outcomes of adolescent depression. This study examines the associations between severity of depression in adolescence and a broad array of adult functional outcomes. Data were gathered as part of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 35-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 children born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1977. Severity of depression at age 14-16 years was classified into three levels according to DSM symptom criteria for major depression (no depression/sub-threshold symptoms/major depression). This classification was related to adult functional outcomes assessed at ages 30 and 35 years using a generalized estimating equation modeling approach. Outcome measures spanned domains of mental disorder, education/economic circumstances, family circumstances and partner relationships. There were modest but statistically significant bivariate associations between adolescent depression severity and most outcomes. After covariate adjustment there remained weak but significant (p < 0.05) associations with rates of major depression, anxiety disorder, illicit substance abuse/dependence, any mental health problem and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. Estimates of attributable risk for these outcomes ranged from 3.8% to 7.8%. For two outcomes there were significant (p < 0.006) gender interactions such that depression severity was significantly related to increased rates of unplanned pregnancy and IPV victimization for females but not for males. The findings reinforce the importance of the individual/family context in which adolescent depression occurs. When contextual factors and probable maturational effects are taken into account the direct effects of adolescent depression on functioning in mature adulthood appear to be very modest.

Death Ideation and Suicidal Ideation in a Community Sample Who Do Not Meet Criteria for Major Depression.

Suicide is strongly associated with depression, but many without depression have thoughts of death. To characterize persons who did not meet criteria for depressive illness but endorsed death ideation or suicidal ideation over the course of a 10-year follow-up. Subjects included 753 participants of the Baltimore sample of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program, a population-based 10-year follow-up survey, who neither met criteria for major depressive disorder nor reported death or suicidal ideation in 1994. Persons with death ideation or suicidal ideation in 2004 were generally distressed as measured by the General Health Questionnaire. At baseline, both groups endorsed difficulty with concentration, feeling unhappy, and taking things hard. Functional problems such as social withdrawal were endorsed by both groups. Those with suicidal ideation had a longer lifetime history of social phobia. Persons with death ideation did not use more health services but sought help from persons in their social network. Thoughts of death are associated with distress even in persons who do not have depressive illness. This group of persons may have subclinical depressive symptoms that will not be detected by depression screening. Detection of these persons will require broadening our concept of persons at risk.

Are Antidepressants Overprescribed for Mild-to-Moderate Depression?

Concerns about overprescription of antidepressants have been based on high rates of use in patients who retrospectively self-reported that they did not meet diagnostic criteria for major depression. Yet, some of these patients might not have remembered the severity of their depression, which might have been successfully treated with antidepressants. Now, researchers prospectively examine clinician-rated depression on the 9-item Patient …

A parallel group randomised open blinded evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression After Psychosis: A Pilot Trial Protocol (ADAPT)

Background: Depression is one of the major contributors to poorer quality of life among individuals with psychosis and schizophrenia.Aims: This study protocol was designed as a pilot trial to determine the parameters of a larger, definitive pragmatic multi-centre randomised controlled trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depression after psychosis (ACTdp) for individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who also meet diagnostic criteria for major depression.Methods: The study protocol was registered before initiating recruitment and was designed as a Parallel-group Randomised Open Blinded Evaluation (PROBE) comparing ACTdp plus standard care (SC) or SC alone. Participants were required to meet DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia and major depression (confirmed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM/SCID-I & Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia; score > 7). Blinded follow-ups are undertaken at 5 months (end of treatment) and at 10 months (5 months post treatment).Implications: The pilot aims to establish the basis for a larger-scale multi-centre randomised controlled trial of ACTdp. The most important study outcomes that will provide the basis of informing progression to a full trial are identified a priori as Population, Intervention, Control and Outcomes (PICO).

STRESSORS, SYMPTOM PROFILE, AND PREDICTORS OF ADJUSTMENT DISORDER IN CANCER PATIENTS. RESULTS FROM AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY WITH THE COMPOSITE INTERNATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW, ADAPTATION FOR ONCOLOGY (CIDI-O).

We aimed to investigate type and frequency of stressors, predominant symptom profiles, and predictors of adjustment disorders (AD) in cancer patients across major tumor entities. In this epidemiological study, we examined 2,141 cancer patients out of 4,020 screened with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, adaptation for oncology (CIDI-O). AD were operationalized as subthreshold disorders according to DSM-IV criteria. In our sample, 265 out of 2,141 patients (12.4%) met all criteria for AD (unweighted 4-week prevalence). The disclosure of the cancer diagnosis, relapse or metastases, and cancer treatments were most frequently described as stressors associated with depressive or anxious symptoms. With regard to AD symptom profiles, patients showed high prevalence rates of affective symptoms according to the DSM-IV criteria of Major Depression: The highest prevalence rates were found for cognitive disturbances (concentration and memory problems) (88%), sleeping disturbances (86%), and depressive mood (83%). We found sex, education, and metastasis as significant predictors for AD. Higher education was the most influential predictor. Men were half as likely to report symptoms fulfilling the AD criteria as women. Patients with metastasized tumors had a more than 80% higher risk of AD than those without metastasis. However, the explained variance of our model is very small (Nagelkerke's R² = 0.08). Patients with AD can be identified using a standardized instrument and deserve clinical attention, as they often show severe clinical symptoms and impairments. Improving the clinical conceptualization of AD by the adding-on of potential stress-response-symptoms is necessary to identify severe psychological strain.