Prevalence and predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder in the adult population

Hardeveld F, Spijker J, De Graaf R, Nolen WA, Beekman ATF. Prevalence and predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder in the adult population. Objective: Knowledge of the risk of recurrence after recovery of a major depressive disorder (MDD) is of clinical and scientific importance. The purpose of this paper was to provide a systematic review of the prevalence and predictors of recurrence of MDD. Method: Studies were searched in Medline en PsychINFO using the search terms ‘recur*’, ‘relaps*’, ‘depress*’, ‘predict*’ and course. Results: Recurrence of MDD in specialised mental healthcare settings is high (60% after 5 years, 67% after 10 years and 85% after 15 years) and seems lower in the general population (35% after 15 years). Number of previous episodes and subclinical residual symptoms appear to be the most important predictors. Gender, civil status and socioeconomic status seem not related to the recurrence of MDD. Conclusion: Clinical factors seem the most important predictors of recurrence. Data from studies performed in the general population and primary care on the recurrent course of MDD are scarce.     

Magnetic motor threshold and response to TMS in major depressive disorder

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine motor threshold (MT) during treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). METHOD: The TMS was administered to 46 patients with depression and 13 controls. TMS was performed at 90% power of measured MT. The stimulation frequency was 10 Hz for 6 s, for 20 trains, with 30 s inter-train intervals. The trial included 20 sessions. Patients and controls were assessed on various outcome measures. RESULTS: The MT values were comparable between patients and controls. Neither demographic nor clinical variables were factors in determining MT. MT was not shown to have any predictive value regarding outcome of treatment. CONCLUSION: In this study, MT at baseline or changes in MT during the treatment period were not able to discriminate between patients and controls and were not found to have any predictive value with regard to treatment outcome.     

Progress and challenges in research of the mechanisms of anhedonia in major depressive disorder

There is an increasing heavy disease burden of major depressive disorder (MDD) globally. Both high diagnostic heterogeneity and complicated pathological mechanisms of MDD pose significant challenges. There is much evidence to support anhedonia as a core feature of MDD. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, anhedonia is further emphasised as a key item in the diagnosis of major depression with melancholic features. Anhedonia is a multifaceted symptom that includes deficits in various aspects of reward processing, such as anticipatory anhedonia, consummatory anhedonia, and decision-making anhedonia. Anhedonia is expected to become an important clinicopathological sign for predicting the treatment outcome of MDD and assisting clinical decision making. However, the precise neurobiological mechanisms of anhedonia in MDD are not clearly understood. In this paper, we reviewed (1) the current understanding of the link between anhedonia and MDD; (2) the biological basis of the pathological mechanism of anhedonia in MDD; and (3) challenges in research on the pathological mechanisms of anhedonia in MDD. A more in-depth understanding of anhedonia associated with MDD will improve the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of patients with MDD in the future.     

保定市重性抑郁障碍流行病学调查

目的：了解保定市重性抑郁障碍的患病率、人口学特征和社会生活功能状况。方法：采用多阶段分层整群抽样方法随机抽取≥18岁的人群10073人,以一般键康问卷12项（GHQ-12）为筛选工具,以美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版（DSM-Ⅳ）轴Ⅰ障碍定式临床检查病人版（SCID-I／P）为调查诊断工具。用功能大体评定量表（GAF）评价功能状况。结果：重性抑郁障碍的终生患病率为4．19％（95％CI：3．78％～4．60％）;时点患病率为2．64％（95％CI：2．31％～2．97％）。时点患病率女性3．26％明显高于男性2．00％（u=3．73,P〈0．01）;农村2．84％明显高于城市1．40％（u=2．76,P〈0．01）;50～69岁年龄段患病率较高;单次发作60．80％,复发39．20％;GAF平均为（50．74±6．73）分,社会和生活功能受损明显。结论：重性抑郁障碍的患病率相对较高,严重影响患者的社会生活功能。     

Care pathways for people with major depressive disorder: A European Brain Council Value of Treatment study

BackgroundDespite well-established guidelines for managing major depressive disorder, its extensive disability burden persists. This Value of Treatment mission from the European Brain Council aimed to elucidate the nature and extent of “gaps” between best-practice and current-practice care, specifically to:

1. Identify current treatment gaps along the care pathway and determine the extent of these gaps in comparison with the stepped-care model and
2. Recommend policies intending to better meet patient needs (i.e., minimize treatment gaps).

MethodsAfter agreement upon a set of relevant treatment gaps, data pertaining to each gap were gathered and synthesized from several sources across six European countries. Subsequently, a modified Delphi approach was undertaken to attain consensus among an expert panel on proposed recommendations for minimizing treatment gaps.ResultsFour recommendations were made to increase the depression diagnosis rate (from ~50% episodes), aiming to both increase the number of patients seeking help, and the likelihood of a practitioner to correctly detect depression. These should reduce time to treatment (from ~1 to ~8 years after illness onset) and increase rates of treatment; nine further recommendations aimed to increase rates of treatment (from ~25 to ~50% of patients currently treated), mainly focused on targeting the best treatment to each patient. To improve follow-up after treatment initiation (from ~30 to ~65% followed up within 3 months), seven recommendations focused on increasing continuity of care. For those not responding, 10 recommendations focused on ensuring access to more specialist care (currently at rates of ~5–25% of patients).ConclusionsThe treatment gaps in depression care are substantial and concerning, from the proportion of people not entering care pathways to those stagnating in primary care with impairing and persistent illness. A wide range of recommendations can be made to enhance care throughout the pathway.     

Use of health services for major depressive and anxiety disorders in Finland

Factors associated with people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) or anxiety disorders seeking or receiving treatment are not well known. In the Health 2000 Study, a representative sample (n=6005) of Finland's general adult (> or =30 years) population was interviewed with the M-CIDI for mental disorders and health service use for mental problems during the last 12 months. Predictors for service use among those with DSM-IV MDD (n=298) or anxiety disorders (n=242) were assessed. Of subjects with MDD, anxiety disorders, or both, 34%, 36%, and 59% used health services, respectively. Greater severity and perceived disability, psychiatric comorbidity, and living alone predicted health care use for MDD subjects, and greater perceived disability, psychiatric comorbidity, younger age, and parent's psychiatric problems for anxiety disorder subjects. The use of specialist-level mental health services was predicted by psychiatric comorbidity, but not characteristics of the disorders per se. Perceived disability and comorbidity are factors influencing the use of mental health services by both anxiety disorder and MDD subjects. However, still only approximately one-half of those suffering from even severe and comorbid disorders use health services for them.     

Cognition in older adults with bipolar disorder versus major depressive disorder

Gildengers AG, Butters MA, Chisholm D, Anderson SJ, Begley A, Holm M, Rogers JC, Reynolds CF III, Mulsant BH. Cognition in older adults with bipolar disorder versus major depressive disorder. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 198–205. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are associated with cognitive dysfunction in older age during both acute mood episodes and remitted states. The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time the similarities and differences in the cognitive function of older adults with BD and MDD that may shed light on mechanisms of cognitive decline. Methods: A total of 165 subjects with BD (n = 43) or MDD (n = 122), ages ≥ 65 years [mean (SD) 74.2 (6.2)], were assessed when euthymic, using comprehensive measures of cognitive function and cognitive–instrumental activities of daily living (C‐IADLs). Test results were standardized using a group of mentally healthy individuals (n = 92) of comparable age and education level. Results: Subjects with BD and MDD were impaired across all cognitive domains compared with controls, most prominently in Information Processing Speed/Executive Function. Despite the protective effects of having higher education and lower vascular burden, BD subjects were more impaired across all cognitive domains compared with MDD subjects. Subjects with BD and MDD did not differ significantly in C‐IADLs. Conclusion: In older age, patients with BD have worse overall cognitive function than patients with MDD. Our findings suggest that factors intrinsic to BD appear to be related to cognitive deterioration and support the understanding that BD is associated with cognitive decline.     

福建省重性抑郁障碍流行病学调查

目的:了解福建省重性抑郁障碍患病率,探讨可能的影响因素.方法:采用多阶段分层整群抽样方法,随机抽取10 000名≥15岁的个体为调查对象,以改编后的一般健康问卷12项(GHQ-12)为筛选工具;以美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版轴I障碍定式临床检查患者版(SCID-I/P)为调查的诊断工具.结果:福建省重性抑郁障碍时点...     

抑郁障碍自杀与细胞因子的关系研究进展

自杀不仅仅是抑郁障碍最严重的后果,更是全社会关注的公共卫生问题,约4％的抑郁障碍患者死于自杀.目前很多研究发现抑郁障碍自杀与5-羟色胺系统、下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴、神经营养因子和细胞因子等生物学标记物有关.如何准确预测抑郁障碍患者的自杀风险是目前多项研究的热点,本文就抑郁障碍自杀与细胞因子的关系进行综述.     

重性抑郁障碍与双相障碍患者躯体疾病共病调查

目的:了解重性抑郁障碍(MDD)与双相障碍(BD)患者躯体疾病共病情况。方法:对141例MDD和52例BD患者进行一般情况、躯体疾病调查及精神疾病评估。结果:MDD和BD患者躯体疾病的共病率分别为68.1%、46.2%,共病的躯体疾病以慢性病为主,依次为高血压、慢性胃炎、腰椎间盘突出、糖尿病。与非共病患者比较,共病患者年龄及起病年龄大,精神疾病复发次数多(P0.05或P0.01)。MDD共病患者自杀意念风险明显增加(P0.01)。结论:较高龄及较高龄起病的MDD、BD患者更易共病慢性躯体疾病。     

New developments in the management of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: role of quetiapine

Quetiapine has demonstrated efficacy in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and in the treatment of specific symptom clusters such as agitation and sleep problems in mood disorders. In this review, randomized controlled studies demonstrating efficacy, safety and tolerability of quetiapine in major depressive disorder (MDD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD) are evaluated. The results show that quetiapine monotherapy and quetiapine augmentation of antidepressant treatment in MDD and GAD are efficacious for short-term and maintenance treatment at a dose range between 50 and 300 mg/day. Quetiapine appears to have a specific but overall mild side-effect profile, though, some adverse effects such as sedation and somnolence may lead to withdrawal from treatment in some patients. Overall, the available evidence suggests that there is a significant role for quetiapine in the treatment of MDD and GAD.     

Augmentation of antidepressants with atypical antipsychotics for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder

Objective: Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) have been hypothesized to be beneficial in treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). This paper will review a biochemical rationale and will summarize the data regarding the effectiveness of AAPs in TRD. Method: Studies were identified using searches of Pubmed/Medline, EMBase and the Cochrane databases by cross‐referencing the term ‘depression’ with each of the six AAPs. Results: After initial positive, short case reports and clinical trials, larger studies failed to show the effectiveness of AAPs combined with antidepressants for TRD. More recently, larger scale clinical trials have supported the effectiveness of at least some of these medications. While AAPs have gained in popularity for TRD, there are nagging concerns regarding risks such as metabolic syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. Conclusion: The existing research provides some support for the beneficial effects of AAPs when combined with SSRI’s in TRD. These medications pose significant risks that must be considered in their use.     

抑郁障碍快感缺失的机制、评估和治疗进展

抑郁障碍是一类常见的精神疾病,主要表现为情绪低落、兴趣减退、精力下降。快感缺失是指人们不能体验到快乐或是对快乐的体验能力不高,对抑郁障碍的诊治具有重大作用和意义。因此,本文综述国内外相关研究,从快感缺失的发生机制、评估方法、治疗手段3个方面展开叙述,希冀为精神卫生工作者提供借鉴和帮助。     

The role of obsessive beliefs in patients with major depressive disorder

Aim. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in obsessional beliefs between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and matched healthy controls using the obsessive-beliefs questionnaire (OBQ). Methods. The study sample included 74 outpatients with MDD and 74 healthy subjects. The two groups were matched for age, gender, and education level. The diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV). The severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). All participants filled out the 44-item OBQ. Results. The total and subscale OBQ scores [Responsibility/Threat Estimation (RT), Perfectionism/Certainly (PC), and Importance/Control of Thoughts (ICT)], were significantly higher in patients with MDD than those of the control group. There was a positive correlation between HAM-D scores and the OBQ subscale scores (RT, PC, and ICT) in the patients. Conclusion. Obsessional beliefs appear to be related to MDD.     

Sex- and age-specific associations between major depressive disorder and metabolic syndrome in two general population samples in Germany

Background and aims: Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). As previous data strongly suggested sex and age effects on this association, this study aimed to analyse the association between MDD and MetS in two general population samples under explicit consideration of sex and age.

Methods: This study analysed cross-sectional data based on two independent general population samples: SHIP-0 (n?=?4083; 20–81 years; 49.4% male) and SHIP-TREND-0 (n?=?3957; 20–83 years; 49.0% male) that were part of the Study of Health in Pomerania. MDD (SHIP-0: 12.6%; SHIP-TREND-0: 27.2%) was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic-Screener (CID-S) in both samples. Interview assessment of MDD diagnosis according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria was performed in SHIP-TREND-0 (18.1% MDD). MetS was defined by abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated glucose, elevated triglycerides and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol according to established criteria. Data analysis was performed sex- and age-stratified.

Results: Prevalence of MetS was high in both samples: 19.4% of females and 30.2% of males in SHIP-0 and 22.1% and 33.2% in SHIP-TREND-0, respectively. Effect modifications were observed by sex and age on the association between MDD and MetS. Particularly, younger females (20–49 years) with MDD were more often affected by MetS than younger females without MDD: OR?=?2.21 (95% CI?=?1.39–3.50). This association vanished in elderly participants (50–82 years).

Conclusion: The data suggest that especially younger (presumably pre-menopausal) females with MDD are more likely to have MetS than those without major depressive disorders, and that age extenuates this association.     

Trait and state aspects of harm avoidance and its implication for treatment in major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and depressive personality disorder

The authors evaluated the trait/state issues of harm avoidance in depressive-spectrum disorders and its predictive potential for antidepressant response. Subjects with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM-IV) major depressive disorder (n = 39), dysthymic disorder (n = 37), depressive personality disorder (n = 39), and healthy control subjects (n = 40) were evaluated with the Temperament and Character Inventory and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) at baseline and after a 12 week antidepressant treatment period. Higher harm avoidance scores predicted lesser improvement in subjects with dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder, as determined by lesser decrease in HDRS-17 scores. Mean harm avoidance scores in depressed subjects were consistently greater than those in healthy controls, controlling for age, gender and diagnosis. Mean harm avoidance scores decreased significantly in all depressive-spectrum disorders after treatment, but still remained higher than harm avoidance scores in control subjects. The present study reports that harm avoidance is a reliable predictor of antidepressant treatment in subjects with major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder and that harm avoidance is both trait- and state-dependent in depressive-spectrum disorders.     

Blood levels of cytokines in elderly patients with major depressive disorder

Plasma concentrations of interleukin-iβ (IL-lβ), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor a (TNFα) were measured in 10 elderly women with major depressive disorder (MDD) and in two groups of controls, one consisting of 10 age-matched healthy female volunteers and one consisting of 10 young healthy female volunteers. The cytokine concentrations were measured in MDD patients before and after 30 days of treatment with phosphatidylserine (BC-PS), 600 mg daily p.o. The plasma IL-1β IL-6 and TNFα concentrations did not differ significantly in young controls, elderly controls and MDD patients. BC-PS therapy, while significantly improving the depressive symptoms, did not alter the cytokine concentrations.