Cited by 595Mental Health Treatment and AccessTreatment of Major DepressionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

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Subthreshold depression as a risk indicator for major depressive disorder: a systematic review of prospective studies

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Cuijpers, P., Smit, F.·2004·Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00301.x

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Abstract

Objective: In order to examine whether the incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is increased in subjects with subthreshold depression, or sD (clinically relevant depressive symptoms, without meeting criteria for a full‐blown MDD), we conducted a review of prospective studies examining the incidence of MDD in subjects with sD. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted. For all studies, the relative risk of developing MDD was calculated, based on person‐years. Results: Twenty studies (23 comparisons) were found, based on community samples, general medical patients and high‐risk subjects. Most comparisons showed that subjects with sD had a consistently larger chance of developing MDD. The studies differed considerably in the definition of sD, the recency (occurrence of the last sD) and the in‐/exclusion of lifetime MDD. Conclusion: The incidence of MDD in subjects with sD is larger than in subjects without sD. Otherwise, the concept of sD is too broad to be used. In future studies, some consensus should be reached regarding the definition of sD.

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Authors: Cuijpers, P., & Smit, F.
Affiliations: Trimbos Institute (NL)
Corresponding author: Cuijpers, P.
ORCID: Cuijpers, P.
Smit, F.
Venue: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2004-03-28
Volume: 109
Issue: 5
Pages: 325-331
ISSN: 0001-690X (ISSN-L)
1600-0447
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00301.x
OpenAlex: W2139095467
Cited by: 595
References: 35
Citations by year: 2026: 34 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 27
FWCI: 1.97
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
VU Research Portal (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: subthreshold depression, major depressive disorder, depression incidence, risk factors, prospective study, relative risk, community sample, vulnerable populations
MeSH terms: Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Humans, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index

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Subthreshold depression as a risk indicator for major depressive disorder: a systematic review of prospective studies

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