Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether short-term outcome for those referred with a depressive disorder could be predicted from baseline clinical assessment and identify factors contributing to outcome in a clinic operating to a subtyping diagnostic and aetiologically weighted management model.
Method: This pilot study involved a consecutive series of 85 patients referred to the Depression Clinic at the Black Dog Institute.
Results: Globally assessed baseline prediction was associated with short-term outcome. Comparably high rates of improvement were evident in those with bipolar, melancholic and non-melancholic subtypes, and somewhat lower in those diagnosed with a ‘secondary depression’. Qualitative and quantitative analyses established that outcome was most clearly associated with referral source, degree of take up of recommendations and implementation of psychotropic drug strategies.
Conclusions: Study results encourage more definitive and comparative study designs to be derived.
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ParkerGManicavasagarV. Modelling and Managing the Depressive Disorders: A Clinical Guide. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge2005.
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MenzaM. Star∗D: the results begin to roll in (editorial). American Journal of Psychiatry2006; 163: 1123.
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TrivediMHRushAJWisniewskiSR. Evaluation of outcomes with citalopram for depression using measurement-based care in STAR∗D: implications for clinical practice. American Journal of Psychiatry2006; 163: 28–40.
