@article{ref1,
title="Fast versus slow onset of depressive episodes: A clinical criterion for subtyping patients with major depression",
journal="European psychiatry",
year="2013",
author="Hegerl, Ulrich and Mergl, R. and Quail, D. and Schneider, E. and Strauß, M. and Hundemer, Hans-Peter and Linden, M.",
volume="28",
number="5",
pages="288-292",
abstract="PURPOSE: The speed of onset of depressive episodes is a clinical aspect of affective disorders that has not been sufficiently investigated. Thus, we aimed to explore whether patients with fast onset of the full-blown depressive symptomatology (≤7 days) differ from those with slow onset (>7 days) with regard to demographic and clinical aspects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained within an observational study conducted in outpatients with major depression who were treated with duloxetine (30-120mg/day). Onset of depression (without any preceding critical life event) was fast in 416 (less than one week) and slower in 2220 patients. RESULTS: Compared to patients with slow onset, those with fast onset of depression had more suicide attempts in the previous 12 months (2.7% versus 1.3%, P=0.046) and less somatic comorbidity (61.7% versus 74.1%, P<0.0001). In addition, they were slightly younger at onset of depression (mean±SD 40.2±14.6 versus 42.8±14.2 years, P<0.001) and used analgesics at baseline significantly less frequently (22.8% versus 33.4%, P<0.0001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The speed of onset of depression has to be regarded as a relevant clinical characteristic in patients with unipolar depression.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0924-9338",
doi="10.1016/j.eurpsy.2012.02.002",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2012.02.002"
}