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Quality of life is defined as the individual's perception of his social, cultural value systems in the context in which one lives and in corelation with his needs, aspirations and standards (WHO, 1994). Patients with depression and alcoholism are associated with low scores on tests assessing quality of life. Quality of life assessment is useful for planning and evaluation of medical and psychological treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization estimates that depression is met in 350 million people. In the US, it was estimated in 2013 that 15.7 million people (6.7% of all US adults) had at least one major depressive episode in the previous year. A study conducted in 2012 at the European level (30 countries including Romania) showed that the average annual prevalence for major depressive disorder was 5.8%. In Romania in 2008 it was observed that the prevalence of major depressive episode in the examination was approximately 9% and over 21% during life. Significant statistical data showed that: depression is more common in women, it is often unrecognized or hidden by population and its economic impact is significant. Epidemiology of depression is needed to determine ways of identifying people at risk and improving their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]