title: Personality and clinical predictors of recurrence of depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To help clinicians more accurately predict outcomes of treatment for depression, variables associated with recurrence of depression in the year after treatment were examined in a group of patients who completed treatment for an index episode of depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two depressed patients who participated in a double-blind pharmacological treatment study were followed for one year after treatment was discontinued. Length of treatment for the index episode was determined by clinicians and ranged from eight to 76 consecutive weeks. Eighteen patients who had a recurrent episode (43 percent) and 24 patients who did not (57 percent) were compared on sociodemographic and clinical variables, including scores on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A combination of three variables predicted recurrence of depression in 90 percent of cases. They were an elevated EPQ score on the neuroticism subscale, a short duration of treatment of the index episode, and a slow onset of response to treatment of the index episode.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that personality traits, treatment duration, and variations in response to treatment might have an impact on long-term treatment outcome. Clinicians should consider these factors when making treatment decisions for depressed patients.
authors: Clinical Services Division of the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry, Tlalpan. cisnerb@lmp.edu.mx
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Berlanga
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Heinze
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Torres
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Apiquián
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Caballero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents