Family history of mood disorders and concomitant psychopathology in patients with depression

IntroductionA family history (FH) of mood disorders is an important clinical feature that affects the risk of depression and its clinical manifestations during the course of the disease.ObjectivesTo assess the impact of FH in patients with depression on the presence of concomitant psychiatric disorders.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 172 patients with depression (64.5% women; age - 40,87±15,86 years). The M.I.N.I. was conducted to verify the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. FH is based on indirect reports of patients.ResultsThe most prevalent concomitant psychiatric diagnoses in patients with depression were generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; 26,2%), panic disorder (24,4%) and social anxiety disorder (13,4%). FH was recorded in 52 (30.2%) patients with depression. Patients with depression and FH more often had concomitant GAD (with FH - 20 (38,5%), without FH - 25 (20,8%); p=0.016). Women with depression and FH showed a higher rate of early onset (before age 18) of depression (with FH - 10 (32,3%), without FH - 10 (12,5%); p=0.015). Men with depression and FH more often had concomitant GAD (with FH - 10 (47,6%), without FH - 8 (20%); p=0.025). Logistic regression revealed that FH was associated with GAD in patients with depression (p=0.019).ConclusionsFH of mood disorders in patients with depression is associated with specific concomitant psychopathology. Further genetic studies are needed to explain this comorbidity.