Sex Differences in the Network Structures of Depressive Symptom Profiles in Asian Patients with Depressive Disorders: Findings from the REAP-AD3
1
Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
09242708
eISSN
16015215
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105009055236
Journal Title
Acta Neuropsychiatrica
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Acta Neuropsychiatrica (2025)
Suggested Citation
Kim H.S., Lee S., Lee J., Choi T.Y., Jung S.W., Yoon H.J., Kim H.S., Kim Y., Yang H.J., Jeong N., Moon E., Kim D., Si T.M., Kallivayalil R.A., Tanra A.J., Nadoushan A.H.J., Chee K.Y., Javed A., Sim K., Pariwatcharakul P., Chong M.Y., Inada T., Lin S.K., Sartorius N., Shinfuku N., Kato T.A., Lee J.H., Park S.C. Sex Differences in the Network Structures of Depressive Symptom Profiles in Asian Patients with Depressive Disorders: Findings from the REAP-AD3. Acta Neuropsychiatrica (2025). doi:10.1017/neu.2025.10020 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111058
Title
Sex Differences in the Network Structures of Depressive Symptom Profiles in Asian Patients with Depressive Disorders: Findings from the REAP-AD3
Author's Affiliation
Hanyang University
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
The Catholic University of Korea
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
Chosun University
Siriraj Hospital
Hasanuddin University
Graduate School of Medicine
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Keimyung University
Medical School of Pusan National University
School of Medicine (IUMS)
Hanyang University College of Medicine
Daegu University
Taipei City Hospital Taiwan
Kuala Lumpur Hospital
Dong-A University, College of Medicine
Jeju National University School of Medicine
Inha University Hospital
Peking University Sixth Hospital
Hanyang University Guri Hospital
Singapore Institute of Mental Health
Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
Seinan Gakuin University
Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre
Regency Specialist Hospital
Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programs
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
The Catholic University of Korea
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
Chosun University
Siriraj Hospital
Hasanuddin University
Graduate School of Medicine
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Keimyung University
Medical School of Pusan National University
School of Medicine (IUMS)
Hanyang University College of Medicine
Daegu University
Taipei City Hospital Taiwan
Kuala Lumpur Hospital
Dong-A University, College of Medicine
Jeju National University School of Medicine
Inha University Hospital
Peking University Sixth Hospital
Hanyang University Guri Hospital
Singapore Institute of Mental Health
Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
Seinan Gakuin University
Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre
Regency Specialist Hospital
Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programs
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Depression is a complex mental health disorder with highly heterogeneous symptoms that vary significantly across individuals, influenced by various factors, including sex and regional contexts. Network analysis is an analytical method that provides a robust framework for evaluating the heterogeneity of depressive symptoms and identifying their potential clinical implications. Objective: To investigate sex-specific differences in the network structures of depressive symptoms in Asian patients diagnosed with depressive disorders, using data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3, which was conducted in 2023. Methods: A network analysis of 10 depressive symptoms defined according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines was performed. The sex-specific differences in the network structures of the depressive symptoms were examined using the Network Comparison Test. Subgroup analysis of the sex-specific differences in the network structures was performed according to geographical region classifications, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South or West Asia. Results: A total of 998 men and 1,915 women with depression were analysed in this study. The analyses showed that all 10 depressive symptoms were grouped into a single cluster. Low self-confidence and loss of interest emerged as the most central nodes for men and women, respectively. In addition, a significant difference in global strength invariance was observed between the networks. In the regional subgroup analysis, only East Asian men showed two distinct clustering patterns. In addition, significant differences in global strength and network structure were observed only between East Asian men and women. Conclusion: The study highlights the sex-specific differences in depressive symptom networks across Asian countries. The results revealed that low self-confidence and loss of interest are the main symptoms of depression in Asian men and women, respectively. The network connections were more localised in men, whereas women showed a more diverse network. Among the Asian subgroups analysed, only East Asians exhibited significant differences in network structure. The considerable effects of neurovegetative symptoms in men may indicate potential neurobiological underpinnings of depression in the East Asian population.