title: Dimensions in major depressive disorder and their relevance for treatment outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous disease. More homogeneous psycho(patho)logical dimensions would facilitate MDD research as well as clinical practice. The first aim of this study was to find potential dimensions within a broad psychopathological assessment in depressed patients. Second, we aimed at examining how these dimensions predicted course in MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten psychopathological variables were assessed in 75 MDD inpatients. Factor and regression analyses assessed putative relations between psychopathological factors and depression severity and outcome after 8 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 3-factor model (eigenvalue: 54.4%) was found, representing a psychomotor change, anhedonia and negative affect factor. Anhedonia and negative affect predicted depression severity (R(2)=0.37, F=20.86, p<0.0001). Anhedonia predicted non-response (OR 6.00, CI 1.46-24.59) and both negative affect (OR 5.69, CI 1.19-27.20) and anhedonia predicted non-remission (OR 9.28, CI 1.85-46.51).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sample size of the study was relatively modest, limiting the number of variables included in the analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results confirm that psychomotor change, anhedonia and negative affect are key MDD dimensions, two of which are related to treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, Campus Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: elske.vrieze@uc-kortenberg.be.
authors.forename: Elske
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vrieze
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, Campus Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demyttenaere
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, Campus Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruffaerts
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Diego A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pizzagalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, Campus Kortenberg 3070, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sienaert
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, Campus Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Titia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hompes
authors.affiliation: Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV, Beerse, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.affiliation: Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV, Beerse, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, Campus Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Claes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D059445:Anhedonia; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011599:Psychopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Anhedonia; Factor analysis; Major depressive disorder; Outcome; Stress