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Multicenter Study
. 2004:(420):28-37.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0047.2004.00328.x.

12-Month comorbidity patterns and associated factors in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project

J Alonso, M C Angermeyer, S Bernert, R Bruffaerts, T S Brugha, H Bryson, G de Girolamo, R Graaf, K Demyttenaere, I Gasquet, J M Haro, S J Katz, R C Kessler, V Kovess, J P Lépine, J Ormel, G Polidori, L J Russo, G Vilagut, J Almansa, S Arbabzadeh-Bouchez, J Autonell, M Bernal, M A Buist-Bouwman, M Codony, A Domingo-Salvany, M Ferrer, S S Joo, M Martínez-Alonso, H Matschinger, F Mazzi, Z Morgan, P Morosini, C Palacín, B Romera, N Taub, W A M Vollebergh; ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 Investigators, European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) Project
Multicenter Study

12-Month comorbidity patterns and associated factors in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project

J Alonso et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 2004.

Abstract

Objective: Comorbidity patterns of 12-month mood, anxiety and alcohol disorders and socio-demographic factors associated with comorbidity were studied among the general population of six European countries.

Method: Data were derived from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), a cross-sectional psychiatric epidemiological study in a representative sample of adults aged 18 years or older in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The diagnostic instrument used was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI). Data are based on 21 425 completed interviews.

Results: In general, high associations were found within the separate anxiety disorders and between mood and anxiety disorders. Lowest comorbidity associations were found for specific phobia and alcohol abuse-the disorders with the least functional disabilities. Comorbidity patterns were consistent cross-nationally. Associated factors for comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders were female gender, younger age, lower educational level, higher degree of urbanicity, not living with a partner and unemployment. Only younger people were at greater risk for comorbidity of alcohol disorder with mood, anxiety disorders or both.

Conclusion: High levels of comorbidity are found in the general population. Comorbidity is more common in specific groups. To reduce psychiatric burden, early intervention in populations with a primary disorder is important to prevent comorbidity.

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