Intermediate-term outcome of psychiatric inpatients with major depression
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
105
Journal Issue
8
Pages
645-652
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
MEI-CHIH MEG TSENG
Cheng I.-C.
Lee Y.-J.
MING-BEEN LEE
Abstract
Background/Purpose: A wide range of recovery rates has been reported during the 1st year of follow-up in patients with depression, and there is a lack of consensus regarding which clinical and psychosocial variables are associated with prognosis. This study investigated the outcome of inpatients with a major depressive episode at 10-22 months (mean ± SD = 14.0 ± 3.4 months) of follow-up and the associated psychosocial and clinical variables. Methods: The demographic and clinical characteristics of 67 inpatients with a DSM-IV major depressive episode were assessed at admission, discharge and 1 year after the initial assessment. A logistic regression model was used to examine the predictive factors of depressive status at follow-up. Results: At the 1-year follow-up, 12 patients could not be located, one refused further interview and one had committed suicide 1 month after discharge. Eighty percent of patients had follow-up examinations. Out of 67 patients, 31 (47%) underwent a DSM-IV diagnosis (29 with major depression and two with minor depression) and 22 (33%) recovered. Low socioeconomic status (p = 0.05), long duration of illness before admission (p = 0.03) and number of previous hospitalizations (p = 0.04) were predictive factors for a depressive morbidity at 10-22 months. Conclusion: At follow-up, almost half of the discharged depressive patients were still depressed. Screening for predictive factors of chronic depressive morbidity facilitates better outcome by considering the heterogeneity of psychopathology that can lead to failure in the treatment plan. ? 2006 Elsevier & Formosan Medical Association.
Subjects
Inpatient; Major depression; Outcome; Predictive factors
SDGs
Other Subjects
fluoxetine; imipramine; neuroleptic agent; adult; aged; article; chronic disease; clinical assessment; clinical study; controlled study; demography; diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders; disease duration; electroconvulsive therapy; female; follow up; hospital admission; hospital discharge; hospitalization; human; interview; logistic regression analysis; major clinical study; major depression; male; mental disease; mental patient; morbidity; prediction; quantitative analysis; refusal to participate; screening test; social psychology; social status; suicide; treatment failure; treatment outcome; treatment planning
Type
journal article