Synchrony of change in depressive symptoms, health status, and quality of life in persons with clinical depression.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about longitudinal associations among measures of depression, mental and physical health, and quality of life (QOL). We followed 982 clinically depressed persons to determine which measures changed and whether the change was synchronous with change in depressive symptoms.


METHODS
Data were from the Longitudinal Investigation of Depression Outcomes (LIDO). Depressive symptoms, physical and mental health, and quality of life were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months. Change in the measures was examined over time and for persons with different levels of change in depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
On average, all of the measures improved significantly over time, and most were synchronous with change in depressive symptoms. Measures of mental health changed the most, and physical health the least. The measures of change in QOL were intermediate. The 6-week change in QOL could be explained completely by change in depressive symptoms. The instruments varied in sensitivity to changes in depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In clinically depressed persons, measures of physical health, mental health, and quality of life showed consistent longitudinal associations with measures of depressive symptoms.
Diehr
Paula H
PH
Department of Biostatistics F-670 HSB, Box 357232, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7232, USA. pdiehr@u.washington.edu
Derleth
Ann M
AM
McKenna
Stephen P
SP
Martin
Mona L
ML
Bushnell
Donald M
DM
Simon
Gregory
G
Patrick
Donald L
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016896:Treatment Outcome