Outcomes of treatment

Functional outcomes as a marker of treatment success

Depression can have a significant impact on patients’ daily lives, whether before, during, or after treatment. In one analysis from the STAR*D trial, quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the QoL Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q):1

  • Before treatment, just 3% of patients with depression experienced a QoL that was deemed ‘normal’
  • Up to 60% of patients thought to be in remission following treatment continued to experience a reduced QoL

The impact of antidepressant therapy on a patient’s quality of life is an important consideration when determining treatment success.2

The patient’s perspective
Many patients place functional improvements as a greater priority of treatment than improved emotional stability – one study has shown that almost half of patients with depression who have been declared as in remission do not consider themselves to be in remission.3 Patients sometimes express different treatment goals to their treating physicians, often placing emphasis on some of the following:4

  • Increasing number of social relationships
  • Improving familial relationships
  • Finding a partner
  • Improving physical health
  • Finding a job
  • Improving intellectual/creative ability
  • Organising their home life

Optimising functional outcomes
Considering the functional impact of a patient’s condition from diagnosis can help to improve patient outcomes. Working with each patient to attain and understand their views on the goals of their antidepressant therapy can provide markers of progression and treatment success which should be monitored at each follow-up appointment.5 It can also provide a source of motivation for individuals with depression, encouraging them to comply with their treatment as prescribed in pursuit of improvements in aspects of daily life that are important to them.5

References
  1. Ishak WW et al. Quality of life in major depressive disorder before/after multiple steps of treatment and one-year follow-up. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 131(1): 51-60.
  2. Greer TL et al. Defining and measuring functional recovery from depression. CNS Drugs 2010; 24(4): 267-284.
  3. Zimmerman M et al. Why do some depressed outpatients who are in remission according to the Hamilton depression rating scale not consider themselves to be in remission? J Clin Psychiatry 2012; 73(6): 790-795
  4. Battle CL et al. Treatment goals of depressed outpatients: a qualitative investigation of goals identified by participants in a depression treatment trial. J Psychiatr Pract 2010; 16(6): 425-430.
  5. Culpepper L. Cognition in MDD: implications for primary care. In: Cognitive Dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder. Ed: McIntyre R, Cha D, 2015.
Country selection
We are registering that you are located in Brazil - if that's correct then please continue to Progress in Mind Brazil
You are leaving Progress in Mind
Hello
Please confirm your email
We have just sent you an email, with a confirmation link.
Before you can gain full access - you need to confirm your email.
The information on this site is exclusively intented for health care professionals.
All the information included in the Website is related to products of the local market and, therefore, directed to health professionals legally authorized to prescribe or dispense medications with professional practice. The technical information of the drugs is provided merely informative, being the responsibility of the professionals authorized to prescribe drugs and decide, in each concrete case, the most appropriate treatment to the needs of the patient.
Congress
Register for access to Progress in Mind in your country