P54-F Electrodermal Hyporeactivity in depressed patients and risk of relapse or recurrence during one-year follow-up period

Abstract

Background Electrodermal activity (EDA) changes in depressed patients were described in numerous publications. Different EDA parameters were tested but interest of researchers have focused on phenomena of electrodermal hyporesponsivity lately and its association with suicide propensity. The aim of this study was evaluation of potential use of electrodermal responsivity in assessing relapse or recurrence risk in patients hospitalized because of depression episode. Material and methods 96 patients were included in analysis, all hospitalized because of depressive episode. Detailed psychiatric history was obtained and several scales were used (MADRS, C-SSRS, BSIS). Electrodermal activity was assessed using EDOR test (Electrodermal Orienting Reactivity Test). After 1 year from test each patient was contacted (or if unavailable, his family) and information about possible suicides attempts and depression relapse or recurrence was obtained. Results and discussion In a tested group there were 20 patients that were “hyporeactive” in EDOR test. Those patients experienced relapse or recurrence more often that “reactive” group and the difference was statistically significant. Hyporeactive patients were also more often hospitalized in a follow-up period. No other clinical feature or result in any of used clinical scales was associated with higher relapse or recurrence risk. Conclusions Electrodermal hyporeactivity may be potentially useful for identifying patients in higher risk or depression relapse or recurrence so that they could be offer additional help.