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Painful physical symptoms and treatment outcome in major depressive disorder: a STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2009

A. F. Leuchter*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
M. M. Husain
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
I. A. Cook
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
M. H. Trivedi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
S. R. Wisniewski
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
W. S. Gilmer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
J. F. Luther
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
M. Fava
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
A. J. Rush
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: A. F. Leuchter, M.D., Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room 37-452, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA. (Email: afl@ucla.edu)

Abstract

Background

Painful physical symptoms (PPS) are both common and reduce the likelihood of remission in major depressive disorder (MDD), based upon results of clinical trials in selected populations. Whether PPS significantly contribute to poorer treatment outcome overall in primary or specialty psychiatric care settings remains unclear.

Method

Out-patients (n=2876) with MDD were treated in the first step of the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial with citalopram up to 60 mg/day for up to 14 weeks. Presence of painful symptoms, as well as severity of depression, physical illness, and demographic and treatment factors were examined. Time to and overall rates of remission were analysed in relation to the presence of PPS.

Results

Of the participants, 80% complained of PPS. These patients, both in primary and specialty psychiatric settings, had significantly lower remission rates and took longer to remit. Increasing severity of PPS was associated with greater physical illness burden, lower socio-economic status, absence of private insurance and being female, African-American or Hispanic. After adjustment for these factors, patients with PPS no longer had significantly poorer treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

Presence and severity of PPS is an indicator of MDD that may have poorer treatment outcome with an initial selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. These poorer treatment outcomes are multifactorial, however, and are not explained by the presence and severity of pain per se.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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