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KMID : 0614720120550040322
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Journal of Korean Medical Association
2012 Volume.55 No. 4 p.322 ~ p.328
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Epidemiologic studies on depression and suicide
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Jeon Hong-Jin
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Abstract
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Major depressive disorder (MDD) is defined as a state of depressed mood, loss of volition and interest, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, sleep problems, poor appetite, loss of energy, and poor concentration, which causes disability in personal and social activities. Lifetime prevalence of MDD is 6.7% (4.8% in men and 9.1% in women), and has increased by 0.2% annually for the last decade. The risk factors for suicide are MDD, severity of the MDD episode, psychotic symptoms, first episode, and being male. The suicide rate was 31.2 per 100,000 persons in the 2010 report on Death and Causes of Death in Korea, which is the seventh highest incidence in men and first in women among 105 nations from the WHO report. The lifetime rate of suicide attempts in Korea is 3.2% according to the Epidemiological Survey of Mental Disorders in Korea 2011, which is higher than the rate of China, Japan, and Western countries. It is estimated that 1,200,000 persons in Korea have attempted suicide at some point within their lifetime. Seasonal variations in suicide indicate the association between suicide and MDD. Both rates of suicide and suicide attempts are the highest in May, when a total of 52.8% of those attempting suicide were diagnosed with MDD. Forty percent of recent suicide attempts are associated with MDD, and 73.7% with MDD or alcohol use disorder in the general population. In conclusion, suicide and suicide attempts are closely associated with MDD. Suicide is a medical condition that is treatable and preventable, and suicide rates can be reduced through early diagnosis and treatment for MDD and alcohol use disorder in Korea.
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KEYWORD
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Suicide, Korea, Major depressive disorder, Alcohol-related disorder, Risk factors
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