Cluster C personality disorder impedes alleviation of symptoms in major depression.
BACKGROUND
We investigated whether cluster C personality disorder (CPD) is associated with recovery from depression.


METHODS
The study design was observational. Diagnoses of major depression (MD) and CPD were confirmed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-I, -II). Changes in symptom scales in 52 patients with MD and CPD were compared with changes in 65 patients with MD alone over a 6-month follow-up period.


RESULTS
On the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scales, recovery of patients with MD and comorbid CPD was inferior to recovery of patients with MD alone. Findings were similar in relation to several other symptom scales. Of those with MD alone 54% had recovered from their depression, but only 16% of those with CPD and MD (BDI score <10 on follow-up). Logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association between lack of recovery and presence of CPD (OR 7.5, 95% CI 2.6-22.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Study design was observational.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of CPD hinders alleviation of depressive symptoms in major depression.
Viinamäki
Heimo
H
Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. heimo.viinamaki@kuh.fi
Hintikka
Jukka
J
Honkalampi
Kirsi
K
Koivumaa-Honkanen
Heli
H
Kuisma
Sari
S
Antikainen
Risto
R
Tanskanen
Antti
A
Lehtonen
Johannes
J
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome