title: A three-factor model of the MADRS in major depressive disorder.
abstract: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) may be composed of some symptom clusters with distinct neurochemical disturbances, suggesting the importance of the factor analysis of depressive symptoms; however, the results of previous studies using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) have been inconsistent. In the present study, factor analysis of the MADRS was performed in 132 Japanese patients (range 23-74 years, mean 47.6 years) with MDD without any psychiatric comorbidity. The principal component analysis with Varimax rotation identified three factors, accounting for 61% of the total variance: The first factor, labeled dysphoria, included pessimistic thoughts, suicidal thoughts, and reported sadness; the second factor, labeled retardation, included lassitude, inability to feel, apparent sadness, and concentration difficulties; and the third factor, labeled vegetative symptoms, included reduced sleep, reduced appetite, and inner tension. The score of the vegetative factor showed a significant positive correlation with age and was significantly higher in females than in males. This study suggests that the symptoms of MDD, as assessed by the MADRS, cluster into three factors (dysphoria, retardation, and vegetative symptoms).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. suzukiakihito@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoshima
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukasawa
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires