Does incomplete recovery from first lifetime major depressive episode herald a chronic course of illness?
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of incomplete recovery from first lifetime major depressive episodes on long-term outcome.


METHODS
After their first lifetime major depressive episode, patients were divided into asymptomatic (N=70) and residual subthreshold depressive symptom (N=26) recovery groups and compared on longitudinal course during up to 12 years of prospective naturalistic follow-up.


RESULTS
Patients with residual subthreshold depressive symptoms during recovery had significantly more severe and chronic future courses. Those with residual symptoms relapsed to major and minor depressive episodes faster and had more recurrences, shorter well intervals, and fewer symptom-free weeks during follow-up than asymptomatic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Resolution of major depressive episodes with residual subthreshold depressive symptoms, even the first lifetime episode, appears to be the first step of a more severe, relapsing, and chronic future course. When ongoing subthreshold symptoms continue after major depressive episodes, the illness is still active, and continued treatment is strongly recommended.
Judd
L L
LL
Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0603, USA. ljudd@ucsd.edu
Paulus
M J
MJ
Schettler
P J
PJ
Akiskal
H S
HS
Endicott
J
J
Leon
A C
AC
Maser
J D
JD
Mueller
T
T
Solomon
D A
DA
Keller
M B
MB
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000928:Antidepressive Agents