Symptom-Based Predictors of a 10-Year Chronic Course of Treated Depression

In a naturalistic study of 313 unipolar depressed patients, potential symptom-based risk factors were assessed at treatment intake & were used to predict a chronic course of treated depression over a 10-year interval. The prototypic chronically depressed patient was an individual who at baseline experienced more severe symptoms of fatigue, loss of interest in usual activities, trouble sleeping, & thoughts about suicide. A larger number of risk factors was associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing a chronic course. High-risk patients who received more psychological treatment during the index episode were more likely to experience a long-term course of remission or partial remission. (44 refs.)