Prediction of longer-term outcome of treatment-resistant depression in tertiary care

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry 2012-11, Vol.201 (5), p.369-375
• Main Authors: Fekadu, Abebaw, Rane, Lena J., Wooderson, Sarah C., Markopoulou, Kalypso, Poon, Lucia, Cleare, Anthony J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Bipolar affective disorder; Central Nervous System Depressants - therapeutic use; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant - drug therapy; Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant - mortality; Drug Substitution; Female; Humans; Lithium Compounds - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies; Relapse; Remission; Remission Induction - methods; Secondary Prevention; Social support; Specialists; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0007-1250; 1472-1465
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.111.102665

Systematic studies on the outcome of treatment-resistant depression are scarce. To describe the longer-term outcome and predictors of outcome in treatment-resistant depression. Out of 150 patients approached, 118 participants with confirmed treatment-resistant depression (unipolar, n = 77; bipolar, n = 27; secondary, n = 14) treated in a specialist in-patient centre were followed-up for between 8 and 84 months (mean = 39, s.d. = 22). The majority of participants attained full remission (60.2%), most of whom (48.3% of total sample) showed sustained recovery (full remission for at least 6 months). A substantial minority had persistent subsyndromal depression (19.5%) or persistent depressive episode (20.3%). Diagnosis of bipolar treatment-resistant depression and poorer social support were associated with early relapse, whereas strong social support, higher educational status and milder level of treatment resistance measured with the Maudsley Staging Method were associated with achieving quicker remission. Exploratory analysis of treatment found positive associations between treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in unipolar treatment-resistant depression and attaining remission at discharge and at final follow-up, and duloxetine use predicted attainment of remission at final follow-up. Although many patients with treatment-resistant depression experience persistent symptomatology even after intensive, specialist treatment, most can achieve remission. The choice of treatment and presence of good social support may affect remission rates, whereas those with low social support and a bipolar diathesis should be considered at higher risk of early relapse. We suggest that future work to improve the long-term outcome in this disabling form of depression might focus on social interventions to improve support, and the role of neglected pharmacological interventions such as MAOIs.