Depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental diseases and they cause a major impact in our society.

The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of depressive disorders in Andalusia.

The aim is to provide useful information regarding this prevalent and disabling condition, in order to contribute to its prevention and treatment.

Our results proceed from the PISMA-ep study, undertook in Andalusia. In this cross-sectional community based study, 4507 participants between 18 and 75 years of age were interviewed by fully trained professionals. The main diagnostic tool was the Spanish version of the MINI Neuropsychiatric International Interview.

Our sample consists of 4507 participants. 50.9% of them were females. Mean age was 42.8 years. The estimated one-month prevalence of any mood disorder was 7.9% (7.1–8.6). The estimated one-month prevalence of major depression was 6, 4% (5.6–7.1). The prevalence of the other measured depressive disorders were as follows: Recurrent depressive episode: 3.7% (3.2–4.3), Melancholic depression: 3% (2.5–3.5), Severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms: 1.4% (1.1–1.8).

The PISMA-ep is the first large mental health epidemiological study ever developed in the largest region of Spain. The results obtained in this region show a higher prevalence of depressive disorders in Andalusia, when compared with prior studies that used a nationally representative sample (i.e. the ESEMeD study). The reasons for this higher prevalence are yet to be explored.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.