Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Iosifescu, D. V. Articles by Fava, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Iosifescu, D. V. Articles by Fava, M. Depression Antidepressants

Comorbid Medical Illness and Relapse of Major Depressive Disorder in the Continuation Phase of Treatment

Received June 16, 2003; revision received Dec. 24, 2003; accepted Jan. 30, 2004. From the Depression Clinical and Research Program, Psychiatry Department, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Address reprint requests to Dr. Iosifescu, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St., Suite 401, Boston, MA 02114; diosifescu{at}partners.org (e-mail).

The authors examined the impact of comorbid medical illness on the rate of relapse of major depressive disorder during continuation therapy. Subjects (N=128) with major depressive disorder (according to DSM-III-R criteria) achieved clinical remission (a 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score 7) after 8 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine and entered the continuation phase of antidepressant treatment. They used the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale to measure the severity of comorbid medical illness. Eight patients (6.3%) relapsed during the 28-week continuation phase. With logistic regression, the total burden and the severity of comorbid medical illness significantly predicted the relapse of major depressive disorder during continuation therapy with fluoxetine. Greater medical comorbidity was also associated with higher increases in self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger during the follow-up.

Key Words: depression • antidepressants

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. Anderson, I. Ferrier, R. Baldwin, P. Cowen, L Howard, G Lewis, K Matthews, R. McAllister-Williams, R. Peveler, J Scott, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants: A revision of the 2000 British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines J Psychopharmacol, June 1, 2008; 22(4): 343 - 396. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. K. Dobscha, K. Corson, D. H. Hickam, N. A. Perrin, D. F. Kraemer, and M. S. Gerrity Depression decision support in primary care: a cluster randomized trial. Ann Intern Med, October 3, 2006; 145(7): 477 - 487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Salzman A 60-Year-Old Woman Who Has Felt Sad for Much of Her Life JAMA, January 18, 2006; 295(3): 318 - 323. [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us