Clinical importance of long-term antidepressant treatment.
BACKGROUND
Depression, which only a few decades ago was considered to be a short-term illness requiring short-term treatment, is now recognised as a recurrent, sometimes chronic, long-term illness.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the clinical importance of long-term antidepressant therapy in the treatment of depression.


METHODS
The current literature was reviewed to examine the relationship between duration of antidepressant therapy and efficacy.


RESULTS
Approximately one-third to a half of patients successfully stabilised in acute-phase treatment will relapse if medication is not sustained throughout the continuation period. Only 10-15% will relapse if medication is continued. For maintenance-phase therapy, approximately 60% of patients at risk will experience a recurrent episode of depression within 1 year if untreated, whereas those who continue in treatment will have a recurrence rate of between 10% and 30%.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk of relapse and recurrence of depression can be significantly reduced if adequate continuation and maintenance therapy durations are achieved.
Hirschfeld
R M
RM
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 1.302 Rebecca Sealy, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0188, USA. rohirsch@utmb.edu
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents