Background :This study performed to evaluate the patterns and prevalence of depression in patients with schizophrenia and to identify risk factors, using subjective and objective forms of depression scales.
Materials and Methods:Demographic data and psychiatric history were obtained from the 139 participants with schizophrenia. The Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia were applied to the participants to evaluate depression.
Results :Thirty percent of all the participants had significant degree of depression, more in participants of outpatient unit and with earlier onset. Schizophrenic participants had more subjective feeling of depression than objective evaluation, performed by independent evaluators.
Conclusion :Many schizophrenic patients have significant degree of depression. In treating schizophrenic patients, depression should be considered as an important target and variable of treatment.