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Cited by 289Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesMental Health Treatment and AccessTreatment of Major Depression

Prevalence of comorbid substance use in major depressive disorder in community and clinical settings, 1990–2019: Systematic review and meta-analysis

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Hunt, Glenn E., Malhi, Gin S., Lai, Harry Man Xiong, Cleary, Michelle·2020·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.141
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Abstract

Background Comorbidity between Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and major depression is highly prevalent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of SUDs in subjects diagnosed with a major depressive disorder (MDD) in community, inpatient and outpatient settings. Methods A comprehensive literature search of Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases was conducted from 1990 to 2019. Prevalence of co-morbid SUDs and MDD were extracted and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random effects meta-analysis. Results There were 48 articles identified by electronic searches with a total sample size of 348,550 subjects that yielded 14 unique epidemiological studies, 2 national case registry studies, 7 large cohort studies and 20 clinical studies using in- or out-patients. The prevalence of any SUD in individuals with MDD was 0.250. Maximum prevalence was found with alcohol use disorder (0.208), followed by illicit drug use disorder (0.118) and cannabis use disorder (0.117). Meta-analysis showed the pooled variance of any AUD in men with MDD was 36%, which was significantly higher than that for females with MDD (19%, OR 2.628 95% CI 2.502, 2.760). Conclusions Few studies were published over the last decade so current prevalence rates of SUD in MDD are needed. Meta-analysis revealed that SUDs in MDD are highly prevalent and rates have not changed over time. The persistently high prevalence suggests there is an urgent need for more informative studies to help develop better prevention and treatment options for reducing prevalence of SUDs in persons with major depression and co-morbid disorders.

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  • Between 33 and 66% of patients suffering from MDD have a psychiatric comorbidity that could potentially exclude them from psychedelic-assisted therapy.

    “Between 33 and 66% of patients suffering from MDD have a psychiatric comorbidity that could potentially exclude them from psychedelic-assisted therapy”

    From Psychedelics and Other Psychoplastogens for Treating Mental Illness. (2021) · cites this paper as [269]

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Authors
Hunt, G. E., Malhi, G. S., Lai, H. M. X., & Cleary, M.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • University of Tasmania (AU)
Corresponding author
Hunt, Glenn E.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-04
Volume
266
Pages
288-304
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.141
OpenAlex
W3000866924
Cited by
289
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 6
FWCI
4.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UTAS Research Repository (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Australian Rotary Health
  • Medical Research Council
  • New South Wales Ministry of Health
  • Pfizer
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
major depressive disorder, substance use disorders, comorbidities, prevalence, alcoholism, illicit drug use, cannabis use disorder, sex differences
MeSH terms
Alcoholism, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Comorbidity, Prevalence, Substance-Related Disorders

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