The relationship between cognitive function and clinical and functional outcomes in major depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
Although cognitive variables have been shown to be useful in predicting outcomes in late-life depression, there has not yet been a comprehensive study in younger persons with depression.


METHODS
The clinical symptoms and cognitive performance of participants were evaluated at admission to one of two university teaching hospitals and again at 3 months after remission and discharge. A total of 52 participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive disorder, aged between 20 and 60 years and with a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score 17 > or = entered the study. The sample for this paper comprises the 48 subjects (mean age 37.9 years, s.d.=10.7) who received admission and follow-up assessments; an attrition rate of 7.7%.


RESULTS
More perseverative errors on the shortened Wisconsin Card Sorting Test at admission predicted a worse clinical outcome at follow-up. Poor event-based prospective memory and more perseverative errors on the shortened Wisconsin Card Sorting Test at admission predicted worse social and occupational outcome at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that a brief cognitive screen at hospital admission, focusing on executive function, would have a useful prognostic value in depression. Determining early predictors of individuals at risk of poorer outcomes is important for identifying those who may need altered or additional treatment approaches.
Withall
A
A
Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Coogee, Australia. a.withall@unsw.edu.au
Harris
L M
LM
Cumming
S R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index