Empirically derived subtypes of adolescent depression: latent profile analysis of co-occurring symptoms in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS).
A latent profile analysis was conducted on the co-occurring symptoms of 423 adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder as part of the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS), a multisite, randomized treatment trial. The participants had a mean (SD) age of 14.6 (1.5) years; of the sample, 45.6% was male and 73.8% was white. Scores on the primary subscales of Conners' Parent Rating Scale--Revised were used as indicators in the analysis. Five classes of symptoms best described the clinical presentation of adolescents enrolled in the TADS. Of the adolescents in the sample, 80% were assigned to classes with clinically significant elevations on 1 or more subscales of the Children's Depression Rating Scale--Revised. The 5 classes met empirical criteria for distinctiveness and were validated against clinical diagnoses, child-rated symptoms, and clinician-rated functional impairment. The findings are consistent with prior studies that showed a high rate of co-occurring symptoms among depressed adolescents. The discussion focuses on understanding subtypes and comorbidity in adolescent depression as well as the implications for treatment and for prevention.
Herman
Keith C
KC
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-3325, USA. kherman6@jhmi.edu
Ostrander
Rick
R
Walkup
John T
JT
Silva
Susan G
SG
March
John S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine