Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2001 Dec;12(4):271-276.

Psychiatric Comorbidity: Focused on Depressive Disorder

• Hong JP

Abstract

Comorbidity is a well-established phenomenon in psychiatric illness. And especially most of the depressive disorders examined in both general and clinical population are not pure form. This article reviews findings of comorbidity pattern of depressive disorder from general population and primary care survey. Five interpretations of the concept of comorbidity are discussed in conjunction with the detrimental effects of comorbidity on the treatment efficacy, course and outcome, and social costs. The term of comorbidity needs more qualification to enhance the progress of conceptualization of novel research strategy in experimental psychiatry. It is important for physician to be aware of the possibility of comorbidity in treating patients. Two future directions for research on comorbidity are introduced with methodological problems.

Keyword

Comorbidity; Depressive disorder

MeSH Terms

Comorbidity*
Depressive Disorder*
Humans
Primary Health Care
Treatment Outcome