Ten Year Follow-Up of Depression After Diagnosis in General Practice

The aim of this study was to learn about the long-term course & outcome of patients with depressive illness for 10 years after their diagnosis. 386 patients from a Dutch hospital were followed for 10 years, & compared with demographically similar controls. 2 patients committed suicide during this time, along with 10 suicide attempts. No significant differences in the motality rates between the studied group & controls were found. 60% did not have recurrence of depression at follow-up. (20 refs.)