Citation

Viinamäki H, Hintikka J, Tolmunen T, Honkalampi K, Haatainen KM, Koivumaa-Honkanen H. Nord. J. Psychiatry 2008; 62(6): 437-443.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. Heimo.Viinamaki@kuh.fi

Comment In:

Nord J Psychiatry 2008;62(6):421-2

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08039480801959281

PMID

18836926

Abstract

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.

Language: en