The functioning and quality of life of depressive patients with 12 weeks of psychiatric care.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to obtain data about the functional status of depressive patients with 12 weeks of psychiatric care and find out if there is any correlation between improvement of clinical and functioning status.


METHODS
A prospective descriptive study was conducted and quality of life instruments (SF-36) were used to assess 96 depressive patients with 12 weeks follow up.


RESULTS
There was prominent functional disability with depressive patients. The response rate of depressive patients with 3-month psychiatric care was 67.7%. The correlation between improvement in clinical status and quality of life of this group of patients did not significantly correlate.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive disorder is treatable with a very good response rate but no significant correlation between clinical improvement and quality of life. There is limitations in psychological and role functioning of depressive patients after 3 months of care. It is recommended that continuing of care should be considered for quality of life improvement.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Ronnachai
R
Kongsakon
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome