Acute and long-term treatment outcome in depressed inpatients with vs. without anxious features: Results of a one-year follow-up study

Stephan Koehler, Theresa Unger*, Sabine Hoffmann, Bruno Steinacher, Thomas Fydrich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Anxious depression (AD) is common in patients with unipolar depression. It remains unclear if they have a higher level of depressive symptoms, a higher risk of non-response, a poorer prognosis and a higher relapse rate compared to non-anxious depressed (non-AD) patients.168 patients took part in all three measurement points: (1) intake, (2) discharge and (3) follow-up. Patients fulfilled the criteria for anxious depression if they had a baseline score >7 on the anxiety/somatisation factor of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Patients with AD and non-AD were compared regarding symptom reduction from intake to discharge as well as from discharge to one year after discharge. Primary outcome measure was the HRSD.The prevalence of AD was considerably high (81%). At intake, patients with AD had a significant higher score in the modified HRSD (M=20.67?4.12 vs. M=14.35?5.06). Both patient groups showed a significant and comparable intake-to-discharge symptom reduction in all inventories. Remission rates at discharge did not differ between AD and non-AD patients. At 1-year follow-up, AD patients showed a similar symptom severity compared to non-AD patients.Symptoms of anxiety are common in depressive disorders are associated with higher depressive symptoms at the beginning of treatment. Acute and longer-term treatment outcome of AD patients was comparable to that of non-AD patients.Limitations of this study are the naturalistic design, treatment was not standardized and comorbid anxiety disorders were not assed using a structured interview.? 2013
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1055-1061
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume150
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Sept 2013

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anxious depression
  • Treatment outcome
  • Acute treatment
  • Follow-up

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