The age at onset of depression is not only an important clinical predictor of the further disease course, but also a robust marker, reflecting the genetic impact on depression risk.

This study aimed to find whether early-onset depression had an association with specific clinical symptoms, comorbid psychiatric disorders and family history of mood disorders.

This pilot cross-sectional, multicenter study was performed under the supervision of the Russian National Consortium for Psychiatric Genetics. Early-onset depression was defined as the first depressive episode before the median age of onset in the sample (Me=29 years). Logistic regression models were used to determine the independent association of early-onset depression, after adjusting for the effects of sex and age, with binary characteristics.

A total of 172 patients with depression were enrolled in the study (64.5% women; age - 40.9 (15.9) years). Early-onset depression was associated with psychomotor retardation (p=0,025; OR=2,3; 95%CI [1,1 - 4,9]), decreased libido (p=0,014; OR=2,8; 95%CI [1,2 - 6,2]), and lower prevalence of weight loss/decreased appetite (p=0,011; OR=0,4; 95%CI [0,2 - 0,8]). No associations were found with the history of comorbid psychiatric disorders and the family history of mood disorders.

Early-onset depression is associated with specific neurovegetative symptoms. Further clinical and genetic studies are needed to evaluate the specific effects of age at onset of depression on its clinical course.

Research is supported by an RSF grant №20-15-00132.