[Diagnosis of depression in chronic alcoholism: methodological aspects].

The incidence of depression ranges between 3% and 98% in chronic alcoholism. This discrepancy has been attributed to the lack in univocal diagnostic criteria and to poor attention to the moment when the observation takes place. In patients with chronic alcoholism, accurate clinical examinations are required to make a diagnosis of depression; furthermore, the presence of continuous alcohol abuse, or the condition of initial of prolonged abstinence must be considered. Using these criteria the diagnosis of depression in chronic alcoholism will probably become more reliable and will be possible to carry out a more appropriate therapy.