Persistence of chronic mood disorders: a 2 year follow-up.
Chronic mood disorder patients who remain frequent and long-term users of psychiatric facilities constitute a major clinical concern today. A 2 year naturalistic prospective follow-up study was conducted on a cohort (n = 40) randomly extracted out of 335 such patients. Longitudinal data involving semi-structured interviews, observer-rated scales and self-report measures were available for 37 patients (93%). While three (8%) remitted completely, the cohort on the average showed no statistically significant change in the severity of depression, social adjustment or global functions during the 2 years under observation. Two baseline features that characterized ameliorated patients were the absence of panic disorder and lower level of education.
Furukawa
T
T
Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Awaji
R
R
Nakazato
H
H
Sumita
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004522:Educational Status; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D007099:Imipramine; D003975:Diazepam