[Prospective study on dynamics of depression in mid-adolescence].

AIM The aim of the study is an evaluation of the occurrence and dynamics of depression during mid-adolescence. It was conducted in prospective studies on a representative group of gymnasium school adolescents in large towns. METHOD In a two-stage draw, a representative group of 1737, 13 year-old adolescents was chosen. They were surveyed by the Krakow Depression Inventory (KID) subsequently in the years 2001, 2002, 2003. RESULTS The point-prevalence of depression was respectively 24.6%, 24.5% and 26.6% for 13, 14 and 15 year-olds. The spread-out rate of depressive disorder in the studied group turned out to be relatively stable. CONCLUSION Depression is more common amongst mid-adolescent girls than boys. Dynamics of the disorder, when studied throughout the three years show that amongst the mid-adolescent population, depression is a disorder of an unequivocal nature.