Prevalence of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Dan-Dan Xu; Wen-Wang Rao; Xiao-Lan Cao; Si-Ying Wen; Weng-Ian Che; Chee H Ng; Gabor S Ungvari; Yasong Du; Ling Zhang; Yu-Tao Xiang

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.083

Prevalence of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

J Affect Disord. 2018 Dec 1:241:592-598. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.083. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Authors

Dan-Dan Xu¹, Wen-Wang Rao², Xiao-Lan Cao³, Si-Ying Wen³, Weng-Ian Che⁴, Chee H Ng⁵, Gabor S Ungvari⁶, Yasong Du⁷, Ling Zhang⁸, Yu-Tao Xiang⁹

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 3/F, Building E12, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao SAR, China; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Harbin University, Harbin, China.
² Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 3/F, Building E12, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao SAR, China.
³ Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare & Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China.
⁴ Department of Public Health Science, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ University of Notre Dame Australia & Graylands Hospital, Perth, Australia; Division of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
⁷ Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁸ The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China & Center of Depression, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders & Mood Disorders Center, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: 13661341082@163.com.
⁹ Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, 3/F, Building E12, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao SAR, China. Electronic address: xyutly@gmail.com.

PMID: 30172211
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.083

Abstract

Background: Prevalence figures of major depressive disorder (MDD) in children and adolescents across various epidemiological studies have been inconclusive. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of MDD and its associated factors in children and adolescents in China.

Method: A systematic review and literature search were conducted covering PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Internet, WANFANG Data and SinoMed) to identify studies reporting the prevalence of MDD in children and adolescents in China. The pooled prevalence estimates and associated factors were examined using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program, Version 2.

Results: Fourteen studies involving 82,592 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled point prevalence of MDD in Chinese children and adolescents was 1.3% (95% CI: 0.8%-2.0%). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that diagnostic criteria, age, year of survey and study quality were significantly associated with the prevalence of MDD.

Conclusions: The point prevalence of MDD in children and adolescents in China is similar to worldwide figures. Further national epidemiological studies with the view of developing effective intervention strategies should be considered.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; China; Depression; Meta-analysis; Prevalence.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Asian People
Child
China / epidemiology
Databases, Factual
Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology*
Epidemiologic Studies
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Qualitative Research