[Prevalence of major depression in France in the general population and in specific populations from 2000 to 2018: A systematic review of the literature]

Abstract

Objective: To synthetize the data on the prevalence of major depressive disorders (MDD) in France in general population and in specific populations.

Method: A systematic review following the PRISMA criteria has been carried out. MEDLINE, google scholar, Isi web of science, PsychInfo et Cochrane library have been explored, from 2000 to April 2018.

Results: The prevalence of major depression in France over the last 12 months was around 8% in the 2000s and seems to have increased to 10% in the 2010s. Studies on national databases tend to underestimate this prevalence (<2%), retaining only the most severe depressions, hospitalized and treated with antidepressants. In specific populations, data has been published in HIV, epilepsy, some cancers and cardiovascular disease, cannabis and tobacco smokers.

Conclusion: The prevalence of depression seems to have increased between the years 2000 and 2010 in France. Further studies should be published, especially in alcohol use disorder, cancers, cardiovascular diseases and immuno-inflammatory illnesses, due to their high prevalence and their specific relationships with MDD. Another study in the general French population should also be carried out. This data should help developing precision medicine to improve the care of MDD in France.