Clinical features and comorbidities of depression among inpatients in a tertiary care centre

Background: There are few studies of depression in Indian population which have looked at depression comprehensively covering various facets in a sample population. The objective of the current study was to recognize the clinical features and comorbidities of depression among inpatients in a tertiary care centre. Method: This was an observational study in which 50 patients admitted with ICD-10 diagnosis of depression were assessed for clinical symptomatology and comorbidity. Results: The mean number of somatic symptoms was 11.44 (SD 6.66), and the mean number of stressful life events over lifetime and in past 1 year were 8.02 (SD 3.8) and 1.44 (SD 1.18), respectively. One fifth of the sample (20%) had personality disorder; among them, mixed personality disorder (12%) was the most common diagnosis. Most of the patients had suicidal ideation (62%) and 26% had attempted suicide during their lifetime. Majority (60%) had atleast one psychiatric comorbidity; the most common being anxiety disorder (46%). Physical comorbidity was present in 54% of the patients; the common diagnoses were hypertension (18%), diabetes mellitus (14%) and ischaemic heart disease (12%). Conclusion: The current study found somatic symptoms and suicide ideation to be frequent in the sample. Also, comorbid conditions including personality disorders are frequent in patients with depression.