Evaluation of Corporate Workers' Depression and Correlating Factors : based on analysis of SDS (Self-Rating Depression Scale) and period medical examination data

Abstract

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the corporate workers' depression and the workers' lifestyle or results of periodic medical examination that could be useful for occupational health. [Methods] 471 workers in a chemical corporation were examined by SDS (Self-Rating Depression Scale), Morimoto's HPI (Health Practice Index) and period medical examination, and the correlation among the results evaluated. [Results] 39.6% of all workers, concretely 58.7% women and 34.9% man had depression, the difference between women and man being statistically significant. 37.2% research workers and 47.7% factory workers had depression (not significant). 37.5% twenties, 44.1% thirties, 46.0% forties and 26.7% fifties had depression (statistically significant). Evaluation of life style, from Morimoto's HPI, revealed a statistically significant correlation between the depression occurrence and some habits such as having a breakfast every day, a well-balanced diet, not drinking alcohol or sleeping for 7-8 hours. In contrast, no correlation was found between depression occurrence and BMI or blood biochemical markers. [Conclusions] It was concluded that depression occurrence correlates with some life style, such as diet or sleep habits, which are supposed to be useful for early detection of depression among people of different ages and genders.