Adaptative disorder included in ICD-10 is considered a residual category in DSM- IV. We hypothesize that having a high amount of recent life changes could determine having a higher incidence of psychiatric pathology.

A random sample of 197 primary care attendees aged 18-65 was selected from 3 primary care centres in the area of Madrid (Spain). Of them, 191 (97%) completed the Spanish version of Prime MD PHQ, and a recent life changes checklist (RAHE) in the previous 6 months and between 6-12 months. Data about medical conditions, drug treatments, days of work lost (last year) and use of health care services (last 3 months), was also collected.

73 (38%) had a PHQ diagnosis (including subtreshold conditions). 121 were women (63,4%). We found that work, home and familiy and personal and social changes both reccent and long lasting were significantly higher in men with PHQ diagnosis (p<0,05) and only recent finacial changes were related with a PHQ diagnosis (p=0,002). In women only long lasting personal and social and home and family (p< 0,05) changes had a significant relationship aswell as recent health changes (p=0,017).

Recent life changes seems to have a relationship with psichiatric symptomatology in both men and women. There are some differents between the changes that could infuence men and women.