Prognostic validity of the familial subtypes of depression.
We examined the prognostic validity of Winokur's familial subtypes of depression in 184 in-patients with primary unipolar major depression. Patients with familial pure depressive disease had a more favorable hospital course and reported less symptoms during a 6-month follow-up evaluation than patients with depressive spectrum disease or sporadic depressive disease. Consistent with previous studies of the validity of the familial subtypes, the use of stringent thresholds to diagnose the patient's relatives increased the validity of classification.
Zimmerman
M
M
University of Iowa, Department of Psychiatry, Iowa City 52242.
Coryell
W
W
Pfohl
B
B
Stangl
D
D
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
D000928:Antidepressive Agents