Italian Study on Depressive Disorders (STudio Italiano MAlattia Depressiva, or STIMA-D): a nationwide snapshot of the status of treatment for major depression.
BACKGROUND
Major depression is a worldwide problem and often remains undetected and untreated. Given the low rates of detection plus the need to intervene in a short time, it is important to identify factors which are likely to improve treatment outcomes.


METHODS
STIMA-D was designed to provide the profile of patients with major depression in Italy (focusing on pathway to care, patient characteristics, drug therapy and treatment outcomes). The patients enrolled (M/F, aged between 18 and 65) experienced single/multiple episodes of major depression (DSM-IV-TR). Patients with lifetime or current bipolar syndrome or other mental disorders were excluded.


RESULTS
44 of the 50 invited centers sent data concerning 1 140 patients. The majority of patients were women. Among working individuals, 52.5% of them were absent from work due to depression in the previous 6 months. Recurrent episodes of major depression were very common and were associated with persistence of residual post-episodic symptoms, a family history of mood disorders and presence of anxiety. 59.6% of the patients were treated with monotherapy (SSRI or SNRI), while 19.2% of them were treated with SSRI plus SNRI. Only the 25.5% on monotherapy had a complete response compared to 12.4% of patients on dual therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor outcomes in major depression have profound implications on patients' quality of life and cost burden. New pharmacological approaches with novel modes of action are therefore urgently needed.
University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Psychiatry Unit, Catania, Italy.
E
E
Aguglia
University of Cagliari, Department of Sciences of Life and Enviroment, Monserrato (CA), Italy.
G
G
Biggio
University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Psychiatry Unit, Catania, Italy.
M S
MS
Signorelli
Fatebenefratelli and Oftalmico General Hospital, Department of Neuroscience, Milano, Italy.
C
C
Mencacci
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018490:Serotonin Agents