In a cohort of severe recurrent depressives followed for 8-11 years, 92% recovered but two-thirds subsequently suffered a recurrence, showing no improvement compared to older studies.
Cohort (n=70)
What is the long-term outcome (recovery and recurrence) of severe recurrent depression over 8-11 years?
The long-term outcome of severe depression still shows high recurrence rates, similar to older studies, despite developments in treatments.
BACKGROUND: Long-term studies of severe depression have described high rates of non-recovery, recurrence, chronic incapacity and mortality. A more recent cohort was followed-up to ascertain whether the course had improved given developments in pharmacological and psychological treatments in the last 15 years. METHOD: Subjects from a cohort of 70 mainly severe recurrent depressives originally recruited to a shorter follow-up study from 1990-1992 were followed-up after 8-11 years. Data included longitudinal information on course of depression and other psychiatric disorders, pharmacological and psychological treatment and social functioning during follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (99%) subjects were successfully followed-up, with 61 of 66 living subjects interviewed and detailed follow-up data obtained in total on 65. Sixty (92%) of 65 subjects recovered during follow-up, with two-thirds subsequently suffering a recurrence. Eleven (17%) suffered from an episode of chronic depression of at least 2 years duration during follow-up. Social function at follow-up was good and there were high levels of pharmacological and psychological treatment. Greater severity of illness was the most consistent predictor of poor outcome. Times to recovery and recurrence and recovery and recurrence rates were very similar to older studies. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of depression still shows high recurrence rates and does not appear to have changed in the last 20 years.
Kennedy et al. (2003) conducted a cohort in Severe recurrent depression (n=70). Modern pharmacological and psychological treatments vs. Older studies was evaluated on Recovery from depression during follow-up. In a cohort of severe recurrent depressives followed for 8-11 years, 92% recovered but two-thirds subsequently suffered a recurrence, showing no improvement compared to older studies.