Cultural imprint on Symptom profile of mood disorders: An epidemiological study in different subcultural sites in a Nile delta governorate

Affective disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders. Their symptoms profile varies in different cultures. Several studies try to identify a core syndromal symptoms and secondary manifestations of the syndrome that changes with geographical, socioeconomic, and cultural areas or political status. Objective: is to find out the differences in clinical symptoms profile of mood disorders between rural and urban areas in Egypt. Method: A sample of people was selected using the multistage random sampling technique then a survey study was done using Mini Inter National Neuropsychiatric Interview over 600 people from two villages and 400 people from two cities in Dakahlia governorate. All patients who were diagnosed as mood disorder according to DSM IV TR criteria enter depth study including complete physical and neurological examination to exclude organic causes and clinical symptoms profile of mood disorders in rural and urban population, according to (DSM-IV TR). Results: There was a statistically significant difference between rural and urban population as regard prevalence of major depressive disorder (9.5%, 6.6%) (p 0.023) while there are no statistical differences as regard other mood disorders The depressed mood, lost appetite, low energy, death ideas, motor retardation and somatic symptoms were statistically significant more among rural population while lack of pleasure, insomnia, lack of concentration and agitation were significant more among urban population. There is no significant statistical difference between rural and urban population regarding most of manic symptoms. Conclusion: the culture effect on mood disorder is more prominent in depression than in mania.