Partial remission indicates poor functioning and a high level of psychiatric symptoms: a 3-phase 6-year follow-up study on major depression.
Patients with depression in partial remission are at high risk of relapse, but factors associated with being in this outcome group are not well known. We conducted a clinical survey to examine the course of major depression in 87 patients during a follow-up period of 6 years. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores indicated the outcome of depression, i.e. remission, partial remission or fully symptomatic, at 6, 12 and 24 months and after 6 years. The prevalence of partial remission varied from 16% to 23% at different follow-ups. All symptom and functioning scale scores indicated at every assessment that the partial depression group managed better than those in the fully symptomatic group, but worse than those in remission. Partial remission was associated with a significant impairment in psychosocial functioning and a high level of symptoms throughout the follow-up. The partial remission group must be recognized and actively treated.
Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. Heimo.Viinamaki@kuh.fi
Heimo
H
Viinamäki
Jukka
J
Hintikka
Tommi
T
Tolmunen
Kirsi
K
Honkalampi
Kaisa
K
Haatainen
Heli
H
Koivumaa-Honkanen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012074:Remission Induction; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control
D000928:Antidepressive Agents