Depressive Symptomatik bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland

Eine depressive Symptomatik ist mit Beeinträchtigungen von Lebensqualität, erhöhter Morbidität und Mortalität sowie vermehrter Inanspruchnahme des Gesundheitssystems assoziiert. Informationen zur Häufigkeit und Verteilung von depressiver Symptomatik in der Bevölkerung sind bedeutsam für die Planung von Prävention und Gesundheitsversorgung. In der Studie GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS wurde eine aktuelle depressive Symptomatik bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland mit dem Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) erhoben. Die Gesamtprävalenz von insgesamt 10,1 % belegt die weite Verbreitung von depressiver Symptomatik – auch jenseits des Vorliegens einer klinischen Depressionsdiagnose. Bei Frauen besteht eine depressive Symptomatik mit 11,6 % häufiger als bei Männern mit 8,6 %. Es zeigen sich weitere Unterschiede nach Alter und Bildungsstatus sowie regionale Unterschiede. Die Ergebnisse werden im Kontext der bisherigen Datenlage diskutiert

Depressive symptoms in a European comparison – Results from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) 2

Depression is associated with a significant individual and social burden of disease. The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) provides data that can be used to compare the situation in Germany to that of other European countries. Data was evaluated from 254,510 interviewees from Germany and 24 additional Member States of the European Union (EU). Depressive symptoms as defined by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) were used as an indicator of depression. The prevalence in Germany (9.2%) is higher than the European average (6.6%). However, when the severity of depression is taken into account, only the prevalence of mild depressive symptoms is higher (6.3% versus 4.1%). In Germany, young people display depressive symptoms more frequently (11.5% versus 5.2%) than older people (6.7% versus 9.1%). These results should be discussed against the backdrop of differences in age and social structure and point toward a need for prevention and provision of care targeting younger people in Germany, in particular

Depressive symptoms in the general population before and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the GEDA 2019/2020 study

Background: Study results on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the first year of the pandemic are contradictory. The GEDA 2019/2020 study makes it possible to examine changes in depressive symptoms in the population. Methods: A standardised telephone interview was used to survey a random sample of the population in Germany aged 15 and older. To exclude seasonal effects, 10,220 interviewees from the period April 2019 to January 2020 were compared with 11,900 from the period April 2020 to January 2021. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the internationally established 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms decreased from 9.2% to 7.6% in the first year of the pandemic. Changes differ between women and men as well as between age and education groups. The analysis of individual symptoms suggests that it is not about a reduction of mental disorders of the depressive type in the narrower sense, but rather a decrease in stress-associated individual symptoms. Conclusions: The decrease in stress-associated depressive symptoms in parts of the population can be interpreted as an indication that pandemic-related changes in everyday life and the working environment may have had a positive effect on individual areas of mental health in certain groups, at least temporarily in the first year of the pandemic. The continuing strong social inequality in depressive symptoms to the disadvantage of low education groups confirms that the need for social situation-related health promotion and prevention with regard to the living and working conditions of socially disadvantaged people must not be lost sight of in times of pandemic. For groups in the population that partly showed a worsening of symptoms in this phase of the pandemic, e.g. the diminished ability to concentrate of very old men, targeted support options should be created in the future

Determinants of Mental Health Inequalities Among People With Selected Citizenships in Germany

Objectives: Mental health is essential for overall health and is influenced by different social determinants. The aim of this paper was to examine which determinants are associated with mental health inequalities among people with selected citizenships in Germany. Methods: Data were derived from the multilingual interview survey “German Health Update: Fokus (GEDA Fokus)” among adults with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian, or Turkish citizenship (11/2021–05/2022). Poisson regressions were used to calculate prevalence ratios for symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety disorder (GAD-7). Results: Sociodemographic (sex, income, age, household size) and psychosocial (social support and self-reported discrimination) determinants were associated with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders varied most by self-reported discrimination. Conclusion: Our findings suggest mental health inequalities among people with selected citizenships living in Germany. To reduce these, social inequities and everyday discrimination need to be addressed in structural prevention measures as well as in interventions on the communal level. Protective factors (e.g., social support) are also important to reduce mental health inequalities on the individual and community level

Depressive Symptomatik in der Allgemeinbevölkerung vor und im ersten Jahr der COVID-19-Pandemie: Ergebnisse der GEDA-Studie 2019/2020

Hintergrund: Studienergebnisse zu Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit im ersten Jahr der Pandemie sind widersprüchlich. Die Studie GEDA 2019/2020 ermöglicht, Veränderungen hinsichtlich der depressiven Symptomatik in der Bevölkerung zu untersuchen. Methode: Mit einem standardisierten telefonischen Interview wurde eine Zufallsstichprobe der Bevölkerung in Deutschland ab 15 Jahren befragt. Um saisonale Effekte auszuschließen, wurden 10.220 Interviewte des Zeitraums April 2019 bis Januar 2020 mit 11.900 des Zeitraums April 2020 bis Januar 2021 verglichen. Das Vorliegen einer depressiven Symptomatik wurde mit dem international etablierten 8-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) erfasst. Ergebnisse: Die Prävalenz der depressiven Symptomatik reduzierte sich im hier betrachteten ersten Jahr der Pandemie von vorher 9,2 % auf 7,6 %. Veränderungen fallen bei Frauen und Männer sowie Alters- und Bildungsgruppen unterschiedlich aus. Die Analyse von Einzelsymptomen legt nahe, dass es sich nicht um eine Verringerung von psychischen Störungen des depressiven Formenkreises im engeren Sinne handelt, sondern um einen Rückgang stressassoziierter Einzelsymptome. Schlussfolgerungen: Der Rückgang von stressassoziierten depressiven Symptomen in Teilen der Bevölkerung lässt sich als Hinweis darauf werten, dass pandemiebedingte Veränderungen in Alltag und Arbeitswelt sich in bestimmten Gruppen positiv auf einzelne Bereiche psychischer Gesundheit ausgewirkt haben könnten, zumindest temporär im ersten Jahr der Pandemie. Die weiterhin stark ausgeprägte soziale Ungleichheit in der depressiven Symptomatik zuungunsten unterer Bildungsgruppen bekräftigt, dass der Bedarf an soziallagenbezogener Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention mit Blick auf die Lebens- und Arbeitsbedingungen sozial benachteiligter Menschen in Pandemiezeiten nicht aus dem Blickfeld geraten darf. Für Gruppen in der Bevölkerung, die in dieser Phase der Pandemie teilweise eine Verschlechterung der Symptomlage zeigten, z. B. die geminderte Konzentrationsfähigkeit hochaltriger Männer, sollten zukünftig gezielte Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten geschaffen werden

Health of single mothers and fathers in Germany. Results of the GEDA studies 2019 – 2023

Background: The living situation of single parents is often characterised by sole responsibility for family and household, problems in reconciling work and family life, and a high risk of poverty. In a comparative perspective with parents in partner households, the health of single mothers and fathers was analysed, considering differences in their social status. Methods: The analyses are based on data from the GEDA studies 2019 – 2023 (7,999 women, 6,402 men). Prevalences for single mothers and fathers and mothers and fathers living in partner households were calculated for self-rated health, chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, smoking and utilisation of professional help for mental health problems. In multivariate models, adjustments were made for income, education, employment status and social support, and interactions with family type were included. Results: Single mothers and fathers show higher prevalences for all health indicators in comparison to parents living in partner households. Also after adjustment, the differences between family types remain significant. The health of single mothers also varies partially with income, employment status and social support. Conclusions: Health promotion measures have to consider that single parents are a heterogeneous group. In addition to strengthening personal skills, policy and setting-based interventions aim to reduce health inequalities.Peer Reviewe

Sex-specific impact of major depressive disorder on 12-year change in glycaemic status: Results from a nationwide cohort study of adults without diabetes in Germany

Aims: There is evidence for an increased type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk associated with depression, but its role for diabetes prevention remains unclear. This study aimed to add insight by investigating the impact of major depressive disorder (MDD) on prospective glycaemic changes. Methods: The study was based on a cohort of n = 1,766 adults without diabe- tes (776 men, 990 women; 18– 65 years of age) who participated in the mental health supplement of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey (GNHIES98-MHS, 1997–1999) and in a follow-up survey (DEGS1, 2008– 2011). Glycaemic status was defined as normoglycaemia [HbA1c < 39 mmol/ mol (<5.7%)], prediabetes [39 ≤ HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol (5.7–6.4%)] and diabetes [HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol (≥ 6.5%), diagnosed diabetes, or antidiabetic medication], and glycaemic changes categorized as ‘remission’, ‘stability’ and ‘progres- sion’. Baseline MDD was assessed via a modified German version of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Multivariable logistic regressions were applied to analyse the association of MDD with glycaemic changes and in- cident T2D, adjusting for socio-demographics, lifestyle conditions, chronic dis- eases, antidepressant use and mental health care. Results: MDD prevalence was 21.4% for women and 8.9% for men. Among women, MDD was associated with a lower chance for remission (RRR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23, 0.82). Among men, MDD was not significantly related to glycaemic changes. MDD had no significant effect on incident T2D (men: OR 1.58; 0.55, 4.52; women: OR 0.76; 0.37, 1.58). Conclusions: Findings of the current study highlight the role of depression in T2D prevention, particularly among women.Peer Reviewe

Health of people with selected citizenships: results of the study GEDA Fokus

Background: The health situation of people with a history of migration is influenced by a variety of factors. This article provides an overview of the health of people with selected citizenships using various indicators. Methods: The analyses are based on the survey ‘German Health Update: Fokus (GEDA Fokus)’, which was conducted from November 2021 to May 2022 among people with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian and Turkish citizenship. The prevalence for each health outcome is presented and differentiated by sociodemographic and migration-related characteristics. Poisson regressions were performed to identify relevant factors influencing health situation. Results: Self-assessed general health, the presence of depressive symptoms, prevalence of current smoking and the utilisation of general and specialist healthcare differed according to various factors considered here. In addition to sociodemographic determinants, the sense of belonging to society in Germany and self-reported experiences of discrimination were particularly associated with health outcomes. Conclusions: This article highlights the heterogeneity of the health situation of people with a history of migration and points to the need for further analyses to identify the reasons for health inequalities

Health situation in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. Developments over time for selected indicators of GEDA 2019/2020 – An update

The spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 and the containment measures associated therewith have changed many aspects of daily life. An impact on health even beyond infections itself is assumed as well. The health situation of the population in the first phase of the pandemic was thus analysed using data from the German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS). By continuing the survey, the analyses for 2020 are completed (n=26,507 participants), whereby the focus is now on the third phase of the pandemic (second wave of infection, gradual reintroduction of containment measures). The health indicators are presented on a monthly basis. As in the first phase of the pandemic, no pandemic-related changes were observed for tobacco smoking/ second-hand smoke exposure and for received/lack of/provided support. In contrast to the first phase of the pandemic, declines in utilisation of medical services and depressive symptoms are not observed in the third phase. The increase in body weight/body mass index after the first phase of the pandemic did not continue. The survey period allows for a comparison of the periods before and as of the pandemic situation. A decrease in the medical services utilisation and depressive symptoms as well as an increase in the body weight/body mass index is observed in the period from March 2020 to January 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic period from April 2019 to March 2020

Gesundheit von alleinerziehenden Müttern und Vätern in Deutschland. Ergebnisse der GEDA-Studien 2019 – 2023

Hintergrund: Die Lebenssituation Alleinerziehender ist oftmals durch die alleinige Verantwortung für Familie und Haushalt, Vereinbarkeitsprobleme mit dem Beruf und ein hohes Armutsrisiko gekennzeichnet. In vergleichender Perspektive zu Eltern in Partnerhaushalten wurde die Gesundheit von alleinerziehenden Müttern und Vätern unter Berücksichtigung von Unterschieden in der sozialen Lage analysiert. Methode: Die Analysen basieren auf Daten der GEDA-Studien 2019 – 2023 (7.999 Frauen, 6.402 Männer). Für die selbsteingeschätzte Gesundheit, chronische Krankheiten, depressive Symptomatik, Rauchen und Bedarf/Inanspruchnahme professioneller Hilfe aufgrund psychischer Probleme wurden Prävalenzen für alleinerziehende und in Partnerhaushalten lebende Mütter und Väter berechnet. In multivariaten Modellen wurde für Einkommen, Bildung, Erwerbsstatus und soziale Unterstützung adjustiert und Interaktionen mit der Familienform einbezogen. Ergebnisse: Für alleinerziehende Mütter und Väter finden sich bei allen Gesundheitsindikatoren höhere Prävalenzen als für in Partnerhaushalten lebende Eltern. Auch nach Adjustierung bleiben die Unterschiede zwischen den Familienformen bestehen. Die Gesundheit alleinerziehender Mütter variiert zudem teils mit Einkommen, Erwerbsstatus und sozialer Unterstützung. Schlussfolgerungen: In der Gesundheitsförderung ist zu berücksichtigen, dass Alleinerziehende eine heterogene Gruppe sind. Neben der Stärkung persönlicher Kompetenzen, zielen politische und settingbasierte Maßnahmen darauf, gesundheitliche Benachteiligungen abzubauen