Michele Magnani1, Anna Sasdelli1, Silvio Bellino2, Antonello Bellomo3, Bernardo Carpiniello4, Pierluigi Politi5, Marco Menchetti6, Domenico Berardi1. 1. Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 2. Department of Neuroscience, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy. 3. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. 4. Department of Public Health, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. 5. Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy. 6. Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: marco.menchetti3@unibo.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To highlight clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with patients' preference in the treatment of depression, we conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and interpersonal counseling in patients with a major depressive episode. METHODS:Patients, recruited from a psychiatric consultation service in the primary care setting, were asked to express their preference for the type of treatment before randomization to one of the 2 intervention arms. Severity of depressive symptoms and functional impairment was assessed using the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale, respectively. RESULTS:A total of 170 patients were evaluated, 87 (51.2%) patients expressed their preference for interpersonal counseling and 83 (48.8%) for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Depression severity and treatment preference showed significant correlations. Preference for interpersonal counseling was related to mild depression and greater functional impairment, whereas patients with moderate or severe depression were more likely to prefer medication. Remission rates and functional level were not related to treatment preference at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Treatment preference is a critical factor, influenced by clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, and further studies are needed to improve its clinical relevance.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To highlight clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with patients' preference in the treatment of depression, we conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and interpersonal counseling in patients with a major depressive episode. METHODS:Patients, recruited from a psychiatric consultation service in the primary care setting, were asked to express their preference for the type of treatment before randomization to one of the 2 intervention arms. Severity of depressive symptoms and functional impairment was assessed using the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients were evaluated, 87 (51.2%) patients expressed their preference for interpersonal counseling and 83 (48.8%) for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Depression severity and treatment preference showed significant correlations. Preference for interpersonal counseling was related to mild depression and greater functional impairment, whereas patients with moderate or severe depression were more likely to prefer medication. Remission rates and functional level were not related to treatment preference at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Treatment preference is a critical factor, influenced by clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, and further studies are needed to improve its clinical relevance.