Search

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is commonly chronic and/or recurrent. We aimed to determine whether a chronic and/or recurrent course of MDD is associated with acute and longer-term MDD treatment outcomes.MethodThis cohort study recruited out-patients aged 18–75 years with non-psychotic MDD from 18 primary and 23 psychiatric care clinics across the USA. Participants were grouped as: chronic (index episode >2 years) and recurrent (n=398); chronic non-recurrent (n=257); non-chronic recurrent (n=1614); and non-chronic non-recurrent (n=387). Acute treatment was up to 14 weeks of citalopram (⩽60 mg/day) with up to 12 months of follow-up treatment. The primary outcomes for this report were remission [16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Rated (QIDS-SR16) ⩽5] or response (⩾50% reduction from baseline in QIDS-SR16) and time to first relapse [first QIDS-SR16 by Interactive Voice Response (IVR) ⩾11].ResultsMost participants (85%) had a chronic and/or recurrent course; 15% had both. Chronic index episode was associated with greater sociodemographic disadvantage. Recurrent course was associated with earlier age of onset and greater family histories of depression and substance abuse. Remission rates were lowest and slowest for those with chronic index episodes. For participants in remission entering follow-up, relapse was most likely for the chronic and recurrent group, and least likely for the non-chronic, non-recurrent group. For participants not in remission when entering follow-up, prior course was unrelated to relapse.ConclusionsRecurrent MDD is the norm for out-patients, of whom 15% also have a chronic index episode. Chronic and recurrent course of MDD may be useful in predicting acute and long-term MDD treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Painful physical symptoms (PPS) are both common and reduce the likelihood of remission in major depressive disorder (MDD), based upon results of clinical trials in selected populations. Whether PPS significantly contribute to poorer treatment outcome overall in primary or specialty psychiatric care settings remains unclear. Method. Out-patients (n=2876) with MDD were treated in the first step of the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial with citalopram up to 60 mg/day for up to 14 weeks. Presence of painful symptoms, as well as severity of depression, physical illness, and demographic and treatment factors were examined. Time to and overall rates of remission were analysed in relation to the presence of PPS. Results. Of the participants, 80% complained of PPS. These patients, both in primary and specialty psychiatric settings, had significantly lower remission rates and took longer to remit. Increasing severity of PPS was associated with greater physical illness burden, lower socio-economic status, absence of private insurance and being female, African-American or Hispanic. After adjustment for these factors, patients with PPS no longer had significantly poorer treatment outcomes. Conclusions. Presence and severity of PPS is an indicator of MDD that may have poorer treatment outcome with an initial selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. These poorer treatment outcomes are multifactorial, however, and are not explained by the presence and severity of pain per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify baseline sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with a current chronic major depressive episode (MDE). Method: Outpatients with major depressive disorder enrolled in 41 US primary or psychiatric care sites were divided into two groups based on self-report of current episode length (<24 or ≥24 months). Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with chronicity of current depressive episode. Results: About 21.2% of 1380 subjects were in current, chronic MDEs. Older age, less education, lower income, no private insurance, unemployment, greater general medical illness burden, lower physical quality of life, concurrent generalized anxiety disorder, fewer prior episodes, and history of prior suicide attempts were all associated with chronic episodes. Blacks, Hispanics, and patients receiving care in primary as opposed to psychiatric care settings exhibited greater chronicity. Conclusion: Chronic depressive episodes are common and are associated with greater illness burden, comorbidity, socioeconomic disadvantage, and racial/ethnic minority status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: There is widespread clinical belief that unrecognized bipolar disorder (BD) is a frequent contributor to apparent treatment resistant depression (TRD). This review attempts to assess the degree to which prevailing empirical data supports that view. Methods: All English-language articles published between January 1998 and January 2008 that focused on adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and BD bearing on the question “Is unrecognized BD a frequent contributor to apparent TRD in patients initially diagnosed with MDD?” were reviewed. Results: 196 articles were reviewed; the preponderance of the data suggested: 1) TRD populations demonstrate high rates of hidden bipolar disorder, 2) there is not sufficient evidence to unequivocally support or reject the hypothesis that patients who relapse despite continued antidepressant treatment are likely to have bipolar spectrum disorder, 3) patients initially diagnosed with MDD do not demonstrate high rates of switching to mania or hypomania when treated with antidepressants and 4) in patients diagnosed with BD, antidepressants are not robustly effective and are poorly tolerated. Limitations: The main limitation of this review is that none of the individual studies were designed to test our primary hypothesis. Conclusions: This review provides at least moderate support to the hypothesis that BD is a contributor to apparent TRD. Thus, clinicians treating MDD are urged to search for “soft” signs of bipolarity and to be prepared to alter diagnosis and treatment strategies accordingly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]