psychiatrist

This work may not be copied, distributed, displayed, published, reproduced, transmitted, modified, posted, sold, licensed, or used for commercial purposes. By downloading this file, you are agreeing to the publisher’s Terms & Conditions.

Original Research

Detection of Subclinical Depression in Bipolar Disorder: A Cross-Sectional, 4-Month Prospective Follow-Up Study at Community Mental Health Services (SIN-DEPRES)

Eduard Vieta, MD, PhD; Rosario de Arce, MD; Miguel A. Jiménez-Arriero, MD; Alfonso Rodriguez, MD, PhD; Vicent Balanzá, PhD, MD; and Silvia Cobaleda, MD; for the SIN-DEPRES Group

Published: August 10, 2010

Article Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and the impact of depressive symptoms on the functional outcome of bipolar disorder outpatients in remission.

Method: A cross-sectional, prospective 16-week study of a cohort of 739 euthymic bipolar disorder patients (DSM-IV-TR criteria) recruited by 94 investigators was conducted. Clinical stability was assessed at baseline and at week 16 with the modified Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Bipolar Version, and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17 [primary endpoint measure]), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the self-applied Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Functional status was evaluated with the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS). The study was conducted from April 2006 to March 2007.

Results: Subclinical depressive symptoms (SDS) were detected on the HDRS-17 in 16.9% of the sample. In symptom-free patients, the incidence of new SDS after 16 weeks was 20% (MADRS score > 7). At baseline, SDS patients compared to non-SDS patients presented with poorer social-occupational performance (SOFAS score mean difference, −11.9; 95% CI, −14.2 to −9.6) and poorer social adjustment (SASS score mean difference, −5.6; 95% CI, −7.1 to -4.1). Depressive symptoms were inversely related to functional status and social adjustment: MADRS-SOFAS correlation coefficients, r = −0.54 (P < .0001), and MADRS-SASS correlation coefficients, r = −0.42 (P < .0001). The self-applied survey identified additional cases with depressive symptoms, showing an SDS total prevalence of 44.9%.

Conclusions: Depressive symptoms in apparently remitted bipolar disorder outpatients are not rare and result in a decline in occupational outcome and social maladjustment.

J Clin Psychiatry

Submitted: February 25, 2009; accepted June 9, 2009.

Online ahead of print: August 10, 2010 (doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05177gre).

Corresponding author: Eduard Vieta, PhD, Hospital Clinic & CIBERSAM, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain ([email protected]).

Volume: 71

Quick Links:

Continue Reading…

Subscribe to read the entire article

$40.00

Buy this Article as a PDF

References