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Social and occupational functioning impairment in patients in partial versus complete remission of a major depressive disorder episode. A six-month prospective epidemiological study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

I. Romera ,
V. Perez ,
J.M. Menchón ,
H. Delgado-Cohen ,
P. Polavieja  and
I. Gilaberte
I. Romera*
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Department, Lilly, SA, Avenida de la Industria, 30, Alcobendas, 28108Madrid, Spain
V. Perez
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Sant Pau i de la Santa Creu, C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret, CIBERSAM, 167, 08025Barcelona, Spain
J.M. Menchón
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga sn, Hospitalet de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, 08907Barcelona, Spain
H. Delgado-Cohen
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Department, Lilly, SA, Avenida de la Industria, 30, Alcobendas, 28108Madrid, Spain
P. Polavieja
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Department, Lilly, SA, Avenida de la Industria, 30, Alcobendas, 28108Madrid, Spain
I. Gilaberte
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Department, Lilly, SA, Avenida de la Industria, 30, Alcobendas, 28108Madrid, Spain
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +34 91 663 50 00; fax: +34 91 663 52 31. E-mail address: romera_irene@lilly.com (I. Romera).
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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate social and occupational functioning in patients in partial remission (PR) compared with patients in complete remission (CR) of a major depressive disorder (MDD) episode.

Subjects and methods

This is a six-month prospective study. PR was defined as a score more than 7 and less or equal to 15 in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and CR as less or equal to 7. All patients had been on acute antidepressant treatment during the previous three months and no longer met criteria for MDD. Functioning was assessed by the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).

Results

Mean (S.D.) patient age was 50.5 (14.5) years (N = 292) and 77% were female. At baseline, partial remitters showed greater impairment in social and occupational functioning than complete remitters (62.8 [12.6] versus 80.4 [10.5], respectively; P < .0001). After six months, only 47% PR versus 77% CR reached normal functioning, and SOFAS ratings for PR were below normal range (76.2 [12.3] PR versus 84.6 [9.4] CR; P < .0001). PR reported three times more days absent from work due to sickness than CR (63 days versus 20 days; P < .001).

Conclusion

We conclude that PR of an MDD episode is associated with significant functional impairment that persists even after nine months of antidepressant treatment. Our results underline the importance of treating the patient until achieving full remission.

Keywords

Major depressive disorderSocial and occupational functioningPartial remission

Information

Type
Original articles
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , January 2010 , pp. 58 - 65
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2010

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