Results: The patients had substantial medical burden and disability. According to DSM-IV criteria, 73 (13.5%) of the 539 patients were diagnosed with major depression. Most of these patients (N=52,71%) were experiencing their first episode of depression, and the episode had lasted for more than 2 months in most patients(N=57, 78%). Major depression was significantly associated with medical morbidity instrumental activities of daily living disability, reported pain, and a past history of depression but not with cognitive function or sociodemographic factors.