Prevalence and clinical characteristics of the DSM IV major depression among general internal medicine patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of the DSM IV major depressive disorder (MDD) among patients admitted to the General Internal Medicine Service of the Geneva University Hospital.

Method: 557 patients admitted to the IM of the Geneva University Hospital aged 18 to 70 were investigated. Each subject was assessed by a clinical psychologist using the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview Depression for DSM-IV) questionnaire.