J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2005 Jan;44(1):75-81.

The Relationship between Depression and Alcoholism: A Meta-Analysis

• Kim SA
• Nam CM
• Park WS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to integrate the results of community based studies which assessed a relationship between depression and alcoholism by meta-analysis.
METHODS
We identified the previons studies and included in meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE. Overall, 21 results of the studies for relationship between depression and alcoholism were selected for quantitative meta-analysis. Before the integration of the each effect size of the relationship between depression and alcoholism, a homogeneity test was conducted. For the publication bias, we also conducted the analyses of funnel plot, normal quantile plot, rank correlation test and the fail-safe n.
RESULTS
We used the random effect model to estimate the overall effect size, because the homogeneity of studies was rejected in a fixed effect model. Our quantitative meta-analysis yielded that integrated odds ratio between depression and alcoholism was 2.42 (95% C.I. 1.98-2.97). From the results of analyses of the publication bias, the probability of publication bias is considered low.
CONCLUSION
The published evidences suggested that there may be a significant positive relationship between depression and alcoholism.

Keyword

Meta-analysis; Depression; Alcoholism

MeSH Terms

Alcoholism*
Depression*
Odds Ratio
Publication Bias