Major depression and alcohol use disorder in adolescence: Does comorbidity lead to poorer outcomes of depression?

Abstract

Background Comorbid major depression (MD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly in adolescents, have been shown to be associated with poorer subsequent MD outcomes. Methods Longitudinal data were used to model associations between a four-level classification of MD/AUD during the period 15–18 years (neither; MD-only; AUD-only; comorbid MD/AUD) and MD over the period 18–35 years. These associations were then adjusted for confounding by a series of factors measured in childhood. Results The three disorder groups had rates of adult MD during the period 18–35 years that were significantly (p