Population-Based Study of First Onset and Chronicity in Major Depressive Disorder

There are no studies of the natural history of major depressive disorder that lack prevalence and clinic biases.To estimate risk factors for first lifetime onset and parameters of chronicity following the first episode, including duration, recovery, and recurrence, and to search for predictors of each parameter.Prospective population-based cohort study with 23 years of follow-up.East Baltimore, Maryland, an urban setting.Probability sample of...