Is Recurrent Brief Depression an Expression of Mood Spectrum Disorders in Young People? Results of a Large Community Sample

The present study was carried out in a community sample to evaluate the lifetime prevalence of Recurrent Brief Depression (RDB), the degree of comorbidity, & possible risk factors. Subjects from a community survey in Sardinia (Italy) were randomly selected from registers of a rural, an urban, & a mining area, & were interviewed. Lifetime prevalence of RDB was 7.6%. Comorbidity with major depression was particularly frequent, & RDB was also associated with suicide attempts & substance abuse. (27 refs)