Impact of the changes from ICD-10 to ICD-11 in the diagnosis of depressive disorder in the general population

Abstract

Background

The World Health Organization recently revised the criteria for the diagnosis of depressive disorders in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This most recent version of the classification (ICD-11) presents some notable differences from the previous one that may impact the prevalence rate.

Objective

This study aims to assess the impact of changes on the diagnosis of depressive episodes in the general population.

Method

We used a general population sample (n = 2911; Age, M = 59; Gender, 56 % women) from the project ‘Edad con Salud’ using face-to-face interviews based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Instrument. To explore the impact of changes between ICD-10 and ICD-11, we compared participants with a diagnosis of a depressive disorder and those without, as well as participants who presented depression in only one of the two versions.

Results

When using the ICD-10 criteria, we identified 189 cases of depressive episodes against 186 with ICD-11. Five and two participants were respectively diagnosed only with ICD-10 and ICD-11. The weighted lifetime prevalence is identical using both diagnostic criteria (6.3 %).

Conclusion

Despite the changes introduced in the classification, the prevalence of depressive episodes identified by ICD-10 and ICD-11 in a general population sample is almost identical.