BACKGROUND: The clinical and etiological significance of the early-late onset distinction in chronic major depressive disorder was explored. METHOD: Subjects were 289 outpatients with DSM-III-R chronic major depression drawn from a multi-site study comparing the efficacy of sertraline and imipramine in the acute and long-term treatment of chronic depression. Patients received comprehensive evaluations using semi-structured interviews and rating scales. RESULTS: Early-onset chronic major depression was associated with a longer index major depressive episode and higher rates of recurrent major depressive episodes, comorbid personality disorders, lifetime substance use disorders, depressive personality traits, and a history of psychiatric hospitalization. In addition, more early-onset patients tended to have a family history of mood disorders. The early-late onset distinction was not associated with differences in symptom severity, functional impairment, or treatment response. LIMITATIONS: Family members were not interviewed directly; there were a large number of statistical comparisons; and interrater reliability of the assessments was not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset chronic major depression has a more malignant course and is associated with greater comorbidity than late-onset chronic major depression.
BACKGROUND: The clinical and etiological significance of the early-late onset distinction in chronic major depressive disorder was explored. METHOD: Subjects were 289 outpatients with DSM-III-R chronic major depression drawn from a multi-site study comparing the efficacy of sertraline and imipramine in the acute and long-term treatment of chronic depression. Patients received comprehensive evaluations using semi-structured interviews and rating scales. RESULTS: Early-onset chronic major depression was associated with a longer index major depressive episode and higher rates of recurrent major depressive episodes, comorbid personality disorders, lifetime substance use disorders, depressive personality traits, and a history of psychiatric hospitalization. In addition, more early-onset patients tended to have a family history of mood disorders. The early-late onset distinction was not associated with differences in symptom severity, functional impairment, or treatment response. LIMITATIONS: Family members were not interviewed directly; there were a large number of statistical comparisons; and interrater reliability of the assessments was not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset chronic major depression has a more malignant course and is associated with greater comorbidity than late-onset chronic major depression.
Authors: Anna R Docherty; Alexis C Edwards; Fuzhong Yang; Roseann E Peterson; Chelsea Sawyers; Daniel E Adkins; Ashlee A Moore; Bradley T Webb; Silviu A Bacanu; Jonathan Flint; Kenneth S Kendler Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2017-02-02 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: V Robin Weersing; Wael Shamseddeen; Judy Garber; Steven D Hollon; Gregory N Clarke; William R Beardslee; Tracy R Gladstone; Frances L Lynch; Giovanna Porta; Satish Iyengar; David A Brent Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2016-01-18 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Rong Jiang; Beverly H Brummett; Michael A Babyak; Ilene C Siegler; Redford B Williams Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2012-11-08 Impact factor: 4.791