Table 1 Baseline data of study population

Female gender

82/97

85%

51%

[57]

Age groups

20–29 years

9/97

9%

12%

30–49 years

67/97

69%

32%

[57]

50–69 years

21/97

22%

23%

Duration of depressive disorder

6–11 months

10/97

10%

12–23 months

7/97

7%

≥ 24 months

80/97

82%

Study patients enrolled after 1. Jan 1999

German population

"Fachhochschule" or university entrance qualification

37/81

46%

19%

[58]

University degree

13/81

16%

6%

[58]

Wage earners

3/81

4%

18%

[58]

Unemployed during last 12 months

Economically active patients

9/70

13%

10%

[58]

Living alone

16/81

20%

21%

[58]

Net family income < 900 € per month

11/65

17%

16%

[58]

Alcohol use daily (patients) vs. almost daily (Germany)

Male

0/10

0%

28%

[59]

Female

1/71

1%

11%

Regular smoking

Male

2/10

20%

37%

[60]

Female

11/71

15%

28%

Sports activity ≥ 1 hour weekly

Age 25–69

38/79

48%

39%

[61]

Body mass index < 18.5 (low)

Male

0/10

0%

1%

[62]

Female

5/70

7%

4%

Body mass index ≥ 25 (overweight)

Male

0/10

0%

56%

[62]

Female

22/70

31%

39%

Permanent work disability pension

19/81

15%

3%

[63]

Severe disability status

24/81

30%

12%

[64]

Sick leave days in the last 12 months (mean ± SD)

Economically active patients

45 ± 82

17.0

[65]