In a community survey, 41.8% of 771 men and 60.2% of 1,059 women
reported having used one or more medications in the 48 hours before the
interview. The use of medications and the number of medications used
increased progressively with age among both men and women. Respondents who
used four or more medications included significantly more high scores on a
depression checklist than those who used fewer medications. The group of
women who used minor tranquilizers and sedatives included significantly
more high depression scorers than those who did not. Among both sexes,
those scoring in the depressed range who were receiving psychotropic
medication tended to be taking minor tranquilizers or sedatives.Abstract Teaser