A comparison of adequately vs. inadequately treated depressed patients.
The authors reviewed the records of 201 nonbipolar depressed inpatients to a) determine the level of somatic therapies prescribed and b) compare the characteristics and global outcomes of patients given "adequate" vs. "inadequate" treatment. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that patients given higher levels of somatic therapy were significantly (p less than .001) more likely to be older and have depression with psychotic features and less likely to have compulsive personality disorders. These patients also had significantly longer hospitalizations. A separate stepwise regression analysis showed that patients given higher levels of somatic therapy had superior outcomes (p less than .001). The proportion of this sample given no antidepressant medication or electroconvulsive therapy (18.4%) and the proportion given "adequate" treatment (45.3% to 63.7%, depending on the criteria applied) were comparable to the findings of other published reports.
Goethe
J W
JW
Research Department, Institute of Living, Hartford, Connecticut 06106.
Szarek
B L
BL
Cook
W L
WL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003193:Compulsive Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000928:Antidepressive Agents