title: Outcome measures of antidepressive therapy.
abstract: A variety of outcome measures assessing antidepressive therapy are available. However, in randomized clinical trials, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) is often the primary outcome measure. Results from factor analysis and Rasch item analysis indicate that the HAM-D is heterogeneous and that the sum of items scores may not be an adequate measure of the severity of depression. A Melancholia Scale of 11 items has been suggested as a more valid measure of the core symptoms of affective syndrome. Other global outcome measures, focusing on health-related quality of life issues and on social functioning as well as macro-economic analyses are also used in depression. Applying stringent and well-documented outcome measures in randomized clinical trials of antidepressants may give the clinician a better indication of the most appropriate drug for treatment of the individual patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Psychiatry, Institute for Basic Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospital in Aarhus, Risskov, Denmark.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers