Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 73, Issue 3 , Pages 279-282, February 2003

Possible effect of gender and season on the length of hospitalisation in unipolar major depressives

  • István Kecskés

      Affiliations

    • In- and Out-patient Department of Psychiatry No. XIII, National Institute for Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest 27, POB 1, 1281 Hungary
    • ,
  • Zoltán Rihmer

      Affiliations

    • In- and Out-patient Department of Psychiatry No. XIII, National Institute for Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest 27, POB 1, 1281 Hungary
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel./fax: +36-1-391-5353
    • ,
  • Kitty Kiss

      Affiliations

    • In- and Out-patient Department of Psychiatry No. XIII, National Institute for Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest 27, POB 1, 1281 Hungary
    • ,
  • András Vargha

      Affiliations

    • Eötvös Lóránd University, Department of Experimental Psychology, Izabella u. 46. Budapest, 1064 Hungary
    • ,
  • Ilona Szili

      Affiliations

    • In- and Out-patient Department of Psychiatry No. XIII, National Institute for Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest 27, POB 1, 1281 Hungary
    • ,
  • Annamária Rihmer

      Affiliations

    • University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis u. 6. Szeged, 6725 Hungary

Received 5 April 2000; received in revised form 18 July 2001; accepted 31 October 2001.

Abstract 

Background: Seasonal variation as well as gender differences of several phenomena of affective disorders are a common topic of interest. Methods: The authors analysed the possible effect of season and gender on the length of hospital stay in 529 in-patients with unipolar major depressive episode. Results: Age and menopausal status alone did not influence the length of hospitalisation but there was a statistical tendency (only for females) for the shortest hospital stay in summer, that reached significance in females younger than 50 years. Conclusions: The results suggest a possible seasonal and gender effect on recovery from major depression. Limitations: Retrospective nature of the study, lack of systematic assessment of clinical response and no data collection about marital status and living conditions, that also can influence the time of discharge.

Keywords:  Gender differences, Hospitalisation, Seasonal variation, Unipolar major depression

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PII: S0165-0327(01)00478-5

Journal of Affective Disorders
Volume 73, Issue 3 , Pages 279-282, February 2003

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