title: Setting relevant patient differences--a problem in phase-IV research.
abstract: A treatment outcome study included patients from a hospital outpatient clinic and a general practice. All patients who entered the study fulfilled the RDC criteria for primary major depressive disorder and had a minimum score on the Beck Depression Inventory of 14. In spite of these identical inclusion criteria GP patients and hospital outpatients showed marked differences with regard to sociodemographic variables, psychopathology and course of illness. Most importantly, treatment outcome was different depending on the setting, although treatment procedures were identical. These findings strongly suggest that treatment recommendations for patients in different settings must be evaluated in these various settings. Generalisations from one setting to the other are not acceptable.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D003071:Cognition; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012107:Research Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents