title: Baseline characteristics of depressive disorders in Thai outpatients: findings from the Thai Study of Affective Disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Thai Study of Affective Disorders was a tertiary hospital-based cohort study developed to identify treatment outcomes among depressed patients and the variables involved. In this study, we examined the baseline characteristics of these depressed patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were investigated at eleven psychiatric outpatient clinics at tertiary hospitals for the presence of unipolar depressive disorders, as diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The severity of any depression found was measured using the Clinical Global Impression and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) clinician-rated tools, with the Thai Depression Inventory (a self-rated instrument) administered alongside them. Sociodemographic and psychosocial variables were collected, and quality of life was also captured using the health-related quality of life (SF-36v2), EuroQoL (EQ-5D), and visual analog scale (EQ VAS) tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 371 outpatients suffering new or recurrent episodes were recruited. The mean age of the group was 45.7±15.9 (range 18-83) years, and 75% of the group was female. In terms of diagnosis, 88% had major depressive disorder, 12% had dysthymic disorder, and 50% had a combination of both major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. The mean (standard deviation) scores for the HAMD, Clinical Global Impression, and Thai Depression Inventory were 24.2±6.4, 4.47±1.1, and 51.51±0.2, respectively. Sixty-two percent had suicidal tendencies, while 11% had a family history of depression. Of the major depressive disorder cases, 61% had experienced a first episode. The SF-36v2 component scores ranged from 25 to 56, while the mean (standard deviation) of the EQ-5D was 0.50±0.22 and that of the EQ VAS was 53.79±21.3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides an overview of the sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics of patients with new or recurrent episodes of unipolar depressive disorders.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors: Tinakon
authors: T
authors: Wongpakaran
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors: Nahathai
authors: N
authors: Wongpakaran
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors: Manee
authors: M
authors: Pinyopornpanish
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors: Usaree
authors: U
authors: Srisutasanavong
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Peeraphon
authors: P
authors: Lueboonthavatchai
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Raviwan
authors: R
authors: Nivataphand
authors: Trang Hospital, Trang, Thailand.
authors: Nattaporn
authors: N
authors: Apisiridej
authors: Trang Hospital, Trang, Thailand.
authors: Donruedee
authors: D
authors: Petchsuwan
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Nattha
authors: N
authors: Saisavoey
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Kamonporn
authors: K
authors: Wannarit
authors: Lampang Hospital, Lampang, Thailand.
authors: Ruk
authors: R
authors: Ruktrakul
authors: Lampang Hospital, Lampang, Thailand.
authors: Thawanrat
authors: T
authors: Srichan
authors: KhonKaen Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Sirina
authors: S
authors: Satthapisit
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Daochompu
authors: D
authors: Nakawiro
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Thanita
authors: T
authors: Hiranyatheb
authors: Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Anakevich
authors: A
authors: Temboonkiat
authors: Faculty of Medicine Naresuan University, Pitsanulok, Thailand.
authors: Namtip
authors: N
authors: Tubtimtong
authors: Faculty of Medicine Naresuan University, Pitsanulok, Thailand.
authors: Sukanya
authors: S
authors: Rakkhajeekul
authors: Srisangwal Hospital, Mae Hong Son, Thailand.
authors: Boonsanong
authors: B
authors: Wongtanoi
authors: Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, Chonburi, Thailand.
authors: Sitthinant
authors: S
authors: Tanchakvaranont
authors: Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Kingdom of Thailand.
authors: Putipong
authors: P
authors: Bookkamana
keywords: Thailand; baseline characteristics; depressive disorder; prospective cohort; treatment outcome