Response to antidepressant treatment in a community mental health center.
This study examines anti-depressant response after 6 months of treatment in 75 depressed patients in a community mental health clinic. Symptomatic and functional outcome measures were administered. A pharmacotherapy algorithm was followed. Many patients presented with chronic depressive disorders complicated by psychosocial problems and co-morbidity with substance use and other psychiatric and medical conditions. Level of functioning was seriously impaired. Attrition rate after 6 months was high (49%). Response rate after 6 months of treatment was 24%.


CONCLUSIONS
Research studies cannot predict the response potential in the real world because of numerous complicating factors in the presentation and treatment of depression in the community.
Bastiaens
Leo
L
University of Pittsburgh, 33 Sunnyhill Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, USA. BastiaensL@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors