title: Deficit in theory of mind is a risk for relapse of major depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, we reported that patients with depression have theory of mind (ToM) deficit during remission from acute episodes. ToM deficit means difficulty in social adjustment and thus may indicate a poorer prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated ToM ability of 50 patients during remission from major depressive episodes. The patients were followed for 1 year and their outcome observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 year, patients who had ToM deficit in a second order false question relapsed significantly more frequently as compared with patients who did not have a deficit (Fisher's exact test p < 0.0001; relative risk (RR) = 8.105; CI 2.020, 32.524). Significant differences were shown in scores of the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (p < 0.0001) between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with ToM deficit in second order false belief during remission may be a high risk group for recurrence and lower social function 1 year after recovering from a major depressive episode.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Inogashira Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012008:Recurrence; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome