Author(s)

Shigeki Takemura, Kouichi Yoshimasu, Jin Fukumoto, Hiroichi Yamamoto, Kazuhisa Miyashita

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BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between self-reported somatic and mental symptoms and the presence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal risk among community dwellers in Japan. METHODS: From two locations in Japan, we recruited 734 community dwellers who underwent an annual health screening. Basic symptoms of MDD, dysthymia, and the presence of associated suicidal risk were determined using a brief structured diagnostic psychiatric interview, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Information regarding self-reported somatic and mental symptoms was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire used in the annual health check-up. Suicidal risk was evaluated on the basis of six relevant questions asked in MINI. Logistic regression model was used to calculate age- and gender-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MDD. Further adjustment for basic symptoms of MDD was performed to calculate ORs and CIs for suicidal risk. RESULTS: A myriad of somatic symptoms, including headache, heavy headedness, eye strain, and shoulder stiffness [adjusted OR (95% CI), 11.4 (1.22 - 107) at location 1; 5.17 (1.23 - 21.7) at location 2], were associated with the presence of MDD. Dysmenorrhea [6.07 (1.14 - 32.3) at location 1] and dysesthesia, arthralgia, and swelling in the extremities [2.72 (1.14 - 6.47) at location 2] were significantly associated with an increase in suicidal risk, independent of the presence of basic symptoms of MDD. CONCLUSION: Several somatic symptoms, especially pain-related ones, may serve as possible signs of depression and suicidal risk among community dwellers.

Epidemiology; Somatic Symptoms; Depression; Suicide; Community Dwellers

Takemura, S. , Yoshimasu, K. , Fukumoto, J. , Yamamoto, H. and Miyashita, K. (2011) Subjective symptoms related to depression and suicidal risk in a Japanese community: a cross-sectional study. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 1, 40-48. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2011.12007.