The association of depressive symptoms with disability among adults in China

•This is the first nationwide study on the impact of MDD symptoms on disability in China.•About 1% of the community population and 50% MDD patients are disabled due to MDD.•Key symptoms include feeling worthless and psychomotor agitation.•Psychological symptoms contribute to disability more than somatic symptoms.•Disability worsens with co-morbid physical disease or anxiety disorders.