Depressive Episodes In Patients Research Articles

Assessment of psychological pain in major depressive episodes

Severe psychological or mental pain is defined as an experience of unbearable torment which can be associated with a psychiatric illness (e.g., major depressive disorder) or a tragic loss such as the death of a child. A brief self-rating scale (Mee-Bunney Psychological Pain Assessment Scale [MBPPAS]) was developed to assess the intensity of psychological pain. The scale was used to measure psychological pain in 73 major depressive episode (MDE) patients and 96 non-psychiatric controls. In addition to the MBPPAS, all subjects completed four additional instruments: Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Known-groups, content and convergent validity, and internal reliability of the scale were established. MDE and control subjects were ranked according to MBPPAS scores. A threshold was set at 32 representing 0.5 SD above the mean for MDEs. MDE subjects above the threshold of 32 had significantly higher SBQ scores than those below. A significant linear correlation between psychological pain and SBQ suicidality scores was observed. This is the first study to contrast psychological pain in controls and patients with MDE. Our results suggest that psychological pain is a useful and unique construct in patients with MDE that can be reliably assessed and may aid in the evaluation of suicidal risk.

Psychosocial and neurocognitive profiles in depressed patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder

Previous studies have revealed psychosocial and cognitive impairments in patients during depression. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with major depression (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) differ in psychosocial and neurocognitive profiles. A second aim was to examine whether cognitive impairments are homogeneous among depressed patients. Patients with MDD (n=16) and BD (n=14) were enrolled during a major depressive episode. About half of them had comorbidities, including personality, substance use, and anxiety disorders. Information was collected about symptomatology and psychosocial functioning, whereas an exhaustive neuropsychological battery was administered to assess cognition. During a depressive episode, MDD and BD patients had global psychosocial dysfunction, characterized by occupational and relational impairments. A cognitive slowing was also observed, as well as deficits related to alertness, spontaneous flexibility, sustained and divided attention. Moreover, severity of depression and cognitive functions were significantly associated with psychosocial functioning. In the case of severe mood disorders, psychosocial and neurocognitive functioning seem similar among MDD and BD patients during a depressive episode. In addition to an altered daily functioning, the neurocognitive profile was heterogeneous with regard to the nature and extent of cognitive deficits. Executive functions, as well as verbal learning and memory, were preserved better than attentional processes.

Analysis of repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) in first-episode depression patients

Objective To investigate the damaging traits of cognitive function in first episode depression patients with the assessment of neuropsychological status ( RBANS) and Stroop Color-word Test. Methods Two hundred and thirty first-episode depression patients as experimental group and one hundred and seventy-eight health person as control were evaluated separately by repeatable battery for the RBANS and Stroop Color-word Test. Results In Stroop Color-word Test,the time required for completing the words,color,double-word,two-color in depression patients ( (14.37 ±6.65)s,(21. 58 ±8. 70) s,( 16. 56 ±8. 23)s, (37. 88 ± 13. 67) s) were longer than the control group ((12.38 ±3.34)s, (18.01 ±5.51) s, (14. 17 ±4. 37) s, (32. 87 ± 10.28) s). The difference between the two groups was found in cognitive function in first episode depression patients (P ＜ 0.05). The scores of color interference and meaning interference were no difference between the two groups (P＞0.05) . The patients'scores of the RBANS test in all items( (72.19 ± 17.22), (80.89 ± 15.29), (82.00 ± 16.37) , (98.74 ± 17.01) ,(82.09 ± 14.62) )were significantly poorer than those in healthy controls. Compared with control group, scores of the scales were significant difference between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis showed that RBANS total score and five factors had no correlation with HAMD total score and factors. It positively correlated with education level (P＜0.05) ,but not with sex (P＞0.05). Immediate memory,verbal function,delayed memory in five factors and RBANS total score negatively correlated with age and course of disease respectively, but breadth of vision,attention were not did(P＜0.05). Conclusion First-episode depression patients suffer from more serious and comprehensive damage of cognitive function such as memory,attention,executive function. Key words: Cognitive function ; Neuron-psychological test ; First-episode depression ;

A comparison of the symptomatic profile between two consecutive depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder type I.

de Macedo-Soares MB, Brietzke E, da Silva Dias R, Mendonca T, Moreira C, Lafer B. A comparison of the symptomatic profile between two consecutive depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder type I. To compare the variability of patterns of depressive symptoms between two consecutive depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder type I. Review of prospectively collected data from 136 subjects of an out-patient bipolar unit from 1997 to 2007. Binomial statistics was used for the analysis of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)-31 items of the first and second episodes, and the correlation of the HDRS-31 item scores of both episodes was determined using the Spearman coefficient. Ten depressive symptoms showed a significant correlation between index and subsequent episodes: psychological anxiety, somatic anxiety, somatic symptoms, diurnal variation, paranoid symptoms, obsessive and compulsive symptoms, hypersomnia, loss of appetite and helplessness. Only four symptoms were stable in both statistical tests: paranoid symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, loss of appetite and hypersomnia. Paranoid and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, loss of appetite and hypersomnia tended to be found in successive episodes. However, the moderate correlations of the symptoms across two depressive recurrences suggested that clinical presentations in bipolar depression may not be predicted by symptom profiles presented in previous episodes.

A study on plasma leptin and total cholesterol in attempted suicide depressive patients

Objective To investigate the possible role of plasma leptin and total cholesterol in the pathophysiology of attempted suicide in depressive episode patients. Methods The subjects were 25 depressive episode patients who had recently attempted suicide and 30 depressive episode patients without suicide attempt. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 items ( HAMD24 ), Beck Helpless Rating Scale (BHS) and Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS) were used to evaluate the severity of symptoms. In addition, 32 individuals who took part in health examination were selected as health control group. Body height and weight were measured to get body mass index (BMI) of all objects, and plasma leptin and total cholesterol were measured by venous blood before taking pill. Results (1)HAMD score , BHS score and SIOSS score in patients with attempted suicide were higher than patients without suicide (P ＜ 0.01 ). (2) The total cholesterol and plasma leptin in patients with attempted suicide ( (3.3 ±0.9)mmol/L, (6.1 ±3.7)μg/L)were lower than that in patients without suicide( (3.6± 1.2)mmol/L, (9.4 ± 4.4)μg/L; P ＜ 0.05 ～ 0. 0l ), while total cholesterol and leptin in patients without suicide attempt ( (3.6 ± 1.2 ) mmol/L, ( 9.4 ± 4.4 ) μg/L) were lower than that in normal controls ( ( 4.8 ± 0.9 )mmol/L, ( 13.4 ± 6.7 ) μg/L; P ＜ 0.05 ～ 0.01 ). (3) Plasma leptin and total cholesterol of all patients were positively correlated with BMI(P＜0.01 ). Moreover, plasma leptin and total cholesterol in patients with attempted suicide and patients without attempted suicide were inversely positively correlated with HAMD score , BHS score and SIOSS score. Plasma leptin was significantly positively correlated with total cholesterol in patients with attempted suicide and patients without suicide, but there was no significant difference in normal controls(P＞ 0. 05). Conclusion The results suggest that decreased plasma leptin is related to the pathophysiology of attempted suicide in depressive episode patients. Key words: Depression; Leptin; Suicide attempted; Cholesterol

Clinical differences between first and recurrent episodes in depressive patients

Background Depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in primary care. Depression is often a chronic disorder with recurrent episodes. Little is known about the differences in clinical profile between first and recurrent episodes. The aim of the study is to analyze the differences between clinical presentation of first and subsequent episodes of depressive disorders in primary care patients. Method A cross-sectional epidemiologic study in primary care centers in Spain was designed. A total of 10 257 primary care patients having a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition major depressive episode were analyzed. Clinical symptoms were measured using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale. Patient Health Questionnaire was used to assess somatic symptoms. Results There were 40.6% of patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for recurrent depression. Compared with those diagnosed of their first major depressive disorder, recurrent patients had greater rates and severity of depressive ( t = −7.85, P < .001) and somatic symptoms ( t = 5.64, P < .001). The severity of symptoms also increases with number of episodes ( F = 40.2, P < .001, for depressive symptoms; F = 27.8, P < .001, for somatic symptoms). First-episode patients were more likely to experience reduced appetite (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2) and suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2). Conclusion There are differences in the clinical profile of initial and recurrent episodes in primary care depressive patients. Each recurrent depressive episode seems to have a greater impact on symptoms and well-being. The identification of a specific depression symptom profile in first or recurrent episodes is needed to improve the long-term management of major depressive episode patients in primary care settings.

Association Between Major Depressive Episodes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Initiation of Dialysis, Hospitalization, or Death

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience increased rates of hospitalization and death. Depressive disorders are associated with morbidity and mortality. Whether depression contributes to poor outcomes in patients with CKD not receiving dialysis is unknown. To determine whether the presence of a current major depressive episode (MDE) is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with CKD. Prospective cohort study of 267 consecutively recruited outpatients with CKD (stages 2-5 and who were not receiving dialysis) at a VA medical center between May 2005 and November 2006 and followed up for 1 year. An MDE was diagnosed by blinded personnel using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria. The primary outcome was event-free survival defined as the composite of death, dialysis initiation, or hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included each of these events assessed separately. Among 267 patients, 56 had a current MDE (21%) and 211 did not (79%). There were 127 composite events, 116 hospitalizations, 38 dialysis initiations, and 18 deaths. Events occurred more often in patients with an MDE compared with those without an MDE (61% vs 44%, respectively, P = .03). Four patients with missing dates of hospitalization were excluded from survival analyses. The mean (SD) time to the composite event was 206.5 (19.8) days (95% CI, 167.7-245.3 days) for those with an MDE compared with 273.3 (8.5) days (95% CI, 256.6-290.0 days) for those without an MDE (P = .003). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the composite event for patients with an MDE was 1.86 (95% CI, 1.23-2.84). An MDE at baseline independently predicted progression to dialysis (HR, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.77-6.97) and hospitalization (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.23-2.95). The presence of an MDE was associated with an increased risk of poor outcomes in CKD patients who were not receiving dialysis, independent of comorbidities and kidney disease severity.

Is stroke a ‘trigger’?

The link between stroke and vascular dementia is known;1 reports of psychological disturbance as a direct consequence of brain insult is noted. For example de Groot et al ,2 found white matter lesions after depressive episodes in patients with yet more curious phenoma emerging during counselling. After working at the Neurorehabilitation Unit, Brighton, …

Does Night-Time Cortisol Excretion Normalize in the Long-Term Course of Depression?

While there is extensive literature on HPA system activity in acutely depressed patients, there is only limited information about the presence of hypercortisolemia during the interepisode interval of affective disorders. We hypothesized an increase in HPA system activity in depressed patients compared to controls, and proposed that night-time cortisol excretion during follow-up will depend on clinical outcome. We measured night-time cortisol excretion in 27 patients during an acute episode of major depression as well as a 20-week follow-up. 40 healthy subjects served as control group. During the acute episode depressed patients showed increased levels of night-time cortisol excretion compared to healthy controls. Both, patients with full and sustained remission (n=8) as well as patients with incomplete remission or relapse (n=19) showed declining cortisol excretion in night-time urine during follow-up. At the end of follow-up cortisol excretion did not differ between patients with affective disorder and healthy controls. Irrespective of residual depressive symptoms, HPA system activity declines after the generally investigated acute depressive episode.

PW01-33 - Onset of depression inventory (ODI) - comparison of the onset speed of unipolar and bipolar depressive episodes

IntroductionThe rate of manifestation of depressive episodes can vary appreciably. The complete development of a depressive episode may be very rapid, taking less than one hour or be very slow, taking up to one month. Altough this clinical observation suggests different neurobiological pathomechanisms, the onset speed of depressive episodes in different affective disorders has not been investigated systematically up to now. The objective of this study was to establish the onset speed of depressive episodes in patients with a history of at least one depressive episode and to compare the onset speed in unipolar with that in bipolar affective disorders.MethodA group of 96 inpatients was investigated consecutively using the structured patient interview “Onset of Depression Inventory” (ODI). In 76 patients, there was a unipolar depressive disorder and 20 patients suffered from a bipolar depressive disorder.ResultsThe onset speed of the current depressive episode in patients with effective disorders correlated significantly with the onset speed of the previous depressive episodes (p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the onset of the depressive episodes between unipolar and bipolar affective disorders (p &lt; 0.001). In 55% of patients with a bipolar disorder, the depressive episode was manifested within one week whereas this was the case in only 22,37% of the patients with a unipolar affective disorder.ConclusionThe rate of manifestation of depressive episodes differs between unipolar and bipolar disorders. The clinical observation reported here can support the diagnostic appraisal of depressive episodes.

SSRI antidepressants do not confound single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging studies using the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor [123I]5‐I‐A85380 ligand: In vivo and in vitro evidence

In clinical molecular imaging the interaction between antidepressant medication and SPECT ligands is a significant potential confound. This study measured nAChR availability, as determined by SPECT imaging, on and off selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in first episode depressed patients. Five patients in their first episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) on a single SSRI underwent [(123)I]5-I-A85380- SPECT neuroimaging prior to stopping their medication and again 6 weeks following medication cessation. Autoradiography of post mortem brain tissue with [(125)I]5-I-A85380 in the presence or absence of four commonly prescribed antidepressants was also assessed. SSRI antidepressants did not affect the relative binding availability of alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for the [(123)I]5-I-A85380 ligand in vivo. Radioligand binding in vitro was unaffected by a single, high pharmacological concentration of antidepressants. SPECT imaging studies using [(123)I]5-I-A85380 to measure alpha4beta2 nAChR availability in depressed patients are unlikely to be confounded to a major degree by concurrent antidepressant medication.

Hospital Pharmacists Prevented Advance of Lithium Intoxication Through Pharmaceutical Interventions

Lithium carbonate is used to treat depressive episodes in patients with manic depressive disorder. Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum levels of lithium, and can occur with doses of lithium carbonate close to those used in therapy. Herein we report a case in which pharmaceutical intervention led to a patient's early recovery. The patient was hospitalized with a complaint of dyspnea, and clinical findings revealed signs of bradyarrhythmia. We investigated the medications the patient brought with him and the record of his prescribed medications in his drug notebook. From this we found that he had been taking imidapril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) in addition to lithium carbonate, and surmised that lithium toxicity may have occurred from the drug interactions between the lithium carbonate and imidapril in this patient. To prevent the level of toxicity from advancing, we proposed to the physician in charge that the patient's serum lithium levels be measured immediately and that all drugs be discontinued. By receiving care centered on detoxification, the patient avoided measures such as placement of a permanent pacemaker and thereby made a quick recovery from a dangerous state. This is a good example of a case in which pharmaceutical intervention improved the patient's quality of life (QOL) and contributed to conserving limited medical resources. As shown by this case, regular checks of patients' current medications and drug notebooks at the time of hospitalization are an effective means of implementing pharmaceutical interventions that can contribute to medical care.

Prevalence of Major Depressive Episode in CKD

Depression is prevalent in long-term dialysis patients and is associated with death and hospitalization. Whether depression is present through all chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages or appears after dialysis therapy initiation is not clear. We determined the prevalence of a major depressive episode and other psychiatric illnesses by using a structured gold-standard clinical interview and demographic and clinical variables associated with major depressive episode in patients with CKD. Observational cross-sectional study using a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition)-based structured interview administered by trained persons to 272 consecutive participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine demographic and clinical variables associated with major depressive episode. Patients with stages 2 to 5 CKD not treated by using dialysis were consecutively approached and enrolled from a Veterans Affairs CKD clinic. Demographic and clinical variables. Major depressive episode diagnosed by using a structured Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition)-based interview, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The cohort had a mean age of 64.5 +/- 12.0 years. Thirty-eight percent were African American, and 55% had diabetes mellitus. Percentages of patients with stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 CKD were 6%, 38%, 41%, and 14%, respectively. Mean hemoglobin level was 12.5 +/- 2.0 g/dL. The prevalence of a major depressive episode was 21% and did not vary significantly among different CKD stages. Variables associated with a major depressive episode were diabetes mellitus, comorbid psychiatric illness, and history of drug or alcohol abuse. Single-center study composed of primarily male veterans. One in 5 patients with CKD had a major depressive episode. Patients with CKD should be screened routinely for depression given this high prevalence and the independent association of depression with poor outcomes in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance dialysis.

Validation of Depression Screening Scales in Patients With CKD

Depressive symptoms, assessed by using self-report scales, are present at a striking rate of 45% in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at dialysis therapy initiation. These scales may emphasize somatic symptoms of anorexia, sleep disturbance, and fatigue, which may coexist with chronic disease symptoms and lead to overestimation of depression diagnosis. No study has validated these scales in patients with CKD before dialysis therapy initiation. We conducted a diagnostic test study in participants with CKD to investigate the screening characteristics of 2 depression self-report scales against a gold-standard structured psychiatric interview. 272 consecutively recruited outpatients with stages 2 to 5 CKD not treated by dialysis were studied. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR(16)) depression screening scales were administered to all participants. A structured Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition)-based interview, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, was administered by trained persons blinded to self-report scale scores. 57 of 272 (21%) patients had major depression according to the reference test. The best cutoff scores by means of receiver/responder operating characteristic curves to identify a major depressive episode were 11 for the BDI and 10 for the QIDS-SR(16). Sensitivities were 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78 to 96; BDI) and 91% (95% CI, 80 to 97; QIDS-SR(16)), whereas specificities were 88% (95% CI, 83 to 92; BDI) and 88% (95% CI, 83 to 92; QIDS-SR(16)). The positive and negative likelihood ratios for these cutoff scores were 7.6 and 0.1 (BDI) and 7.5 and 0.1 (QIDS-SR(16)). Single-center study and a sample not representative of US demographics. We found that a BDI score of 11 or higher was a sensitive and specific cutoff value for identifying a major depressive episode in patients with CKD not on dialysis therapy. Both the BDI and QIDS-SR(16) are effective screening tools.

Comparison of cytokine levels in depressed, manic and euthymic patients with bipolar disorder

Background The neurobiology of bipolar disorder is not completely understood. Cytokines have received increasing attention as potential mediators of the interaction with immune, neuroendocrine system and specific pathways involved in mood, energy, and activity control. Previous reports have suggested the association of mania and bipolar depression with a proinflammatory state. However, they did not compare cytokine levels in all phases of bipolar disorder. Methods Sixty-one bipolar patients were recruited for assessment of serum cytokine levels. Of these, 14 were in euthymic state, 23 and 24 were in manic and depressive episodes, respectively. A healthy comparison group included 25 healthy volunteers. Cytokines involved in Th1/Th2 balance, such as TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, were examined by flow cytometry. Results During mania, proinflammatory cytokines, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6, were increased in comparison with healthy subjects. Patients in depressive episode showed only increased IL-6 levels. There were no significant differences in cytokine levels between patients in remission and healthy subjects, except for IL-4. Mood symptoms showed a positive correlation with IL-6 and IL-2. Discussion These findings suggest that mania, and to a less extent, depression are associated with a proinflammatory state. These changes seem to be related to mood state, as changes in cytokine profile were more pronounced during acute episodes than in euthymia. This study provides further support to investigate the immune system as a target for future treatment development.

Therapeutic effects of the selective serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor milnacipran on depressive symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease

To clarify the profile of depressive symptoms in major depressive episodes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD-MD), we compared AD-MD with major depressive disorder in non-demented elderly patients (MDD) matched for age, using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D 17). In addition, to clarify which depressive symptoms of AD patients respond to treatment with the selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) milnacipran, we compared the HAM-D 17 average score and the score of each HAM-D item, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, and GAF score according to the DSM-IV evaluation of AD-MD patients at baseline and at the endpoint (12 weeks). Depressive mood, loss of interest in hobbies and social activities and anxiety (psychic) scored the highest in both AD-MD and MDD groups, while psychomotor retardation scored significantly higher in AD-MD, and insomnia and anxiety (somatic) significantly did so in MDD. We also found that depressive mood, suicidal tendency, loss of interest, psychomotor retardation, anxiety (psychic), gastrointestinal symptoms, general somatic symptoms, and hypochondriasis remarkably improved in patients of AD-MD treated with milnacipran. Our results suggest that in general the profiles of depression in AD-MD and MDD are similar, despite some different clinical features between both conditions. Our study also suggests that milnacipran is promising to treat a broad range of depressive symptoms in AD-MD patients.

The Risk for Depression Comorbidity in Patients With COPD

Patients with COPD are believed to have a high risk for the development of depression. However, it remains unclear whether or not there is a temporal relation between COPD and depression, and if the higher risk for depression is a result of having a chronic disease, or is specific for COPD. The aim of this study is to compare the risk for physician-diagnosed depression in patients with COPD, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and control subjects without chronic conditions. The study was a prospective cohort study based on the Continuous Morbidity Registration database. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify the risk of a first episode of depression in patients with COPD compared to patients with DM and matched control subjects without chronic conditions. The following covariates were added to the model: age, the general practice the patient was listed with, socioeconomic status, comorbidity, and gender. All patients with a diagnosis of depression preceding the date of first diagnosis of COPD or DM (dummy date in control subjects) were excluded. The hazard ratios for a first episode of depression in the COPD group compared to the DM group and healthy controls subjects were 1.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 2.81) and 1.68 (95% CI, 1.20 to 2.35), respectively. We found a temporal relation between COPD and physician-diagnosed depression. Patients with COPD are more likely to have depression diagnosed than patients with DM and control subjects without chronic conditions.

S50-01 Depression and bipolar disorder: Is prevention of mania possible? Critical issues on diagnostic criteria

Diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder in DSM IV require the occurrence of a manic or hypomanic episode. The scant appropriateness of these criteria compared with Kraepelin"s concept of manic depressive insanity has been repeatedly reported and the concept of bipolar spectrum has been proposed for more than 30 years. The negative consequences of pure adherence to operational diagnostic criteria on clinical needs are presented in terms of community epidemiology results and in terms of clinical evidences and the inadequate treatment of depressive and anxiety episodes and the risk of manic switch with antidepressant drugs are discussed.The epidemiological survey conducted in Sesto Fiorentino showed that depressive episodes in patients with subthreshold mania or hypomania were different from the clinical presentation of pure unipolar depressives episodes confirming not only the numeric impact but also qualitative differences between these groups of patients.Our clinical study where predictors of mania have been prospectively evaluated in a trans nosographic sample of outpatients demonstrated that aspects related to bipolarity predicted manic shift regardless of the diagnosis. DSM IV criteria seem not to be able to detect and describe a group of patients relevant both on epidemiological and on clinical level. These findings underline the need of a careful examination of patients treatment and validate the rule of further research in definition of mood disorders boundaries for prevention strategies.

Efficacy of Quetiapine Monotherapy for the Treatment of Depressive Episodes in Bipolar I Disorder

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine monotherapy for the treatment of major depressive episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder, as a post hoc analysis of data from 2 large studies, the BipOLar DEpRession (BOLDER) I and II studies, which investigated the overall efficacy of quetiapine in both bipolar I and II disorder. A combined cohort of patients with depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder (DSM-IV criteria) (N = 694) from 2 nearly identical double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies that each randomly assigned patients with bipolar I and II disorder to 8 weeks of treatment with quetiapine 300 or 600 mg/day or placebo was analyzed. The primary efficacy measure was change from baseline to end of treatment (week 8) in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total scores. In the combined cohort of patients with depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder from 2 studies, there were significantly greater clinical improvements in mean MADRS total scores among patients who received quetiapine compared with placebo from baseline to week 1 and through week 8 (at week 8: quetiapine 300 mg/day = -19.4; 600 mg/day = -19.6; placebo = -12.6; p < .001 for each dose), providing effect sizes of 0.78 and 0.80, respectively. Changes in MADRS were unrelated to reports of sedation and somnolence. The most common adverse events (AEs) with quetiapine were dry mouth, somnolence, sedation, dizziness, and constipation. Rates of withdrawal because of these AEs were relatively low. Quetiapine monotherapy (300 and 600 mg/day) is more effective than placebo and generally well tolerated for the treatment of depressive episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder.

Quetiapine for the treatment of bipolar II depression: Analysis of data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies

Objective. To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine monotherapy for depressive episodes in patients with bipolar II disorder. Methods. A post-hoc evaluation was conducted in 351patients with bipolar II depression combined from two similarly designed double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 8-week studies of quetiapine (300 or 600mg/day) that included patients with bipolar I or II disorder (DSM-IV) exhibiting moderate to severe depression. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to week 8 in MADRS total score. Secondary endpoints included HAM-D, HAM-A, and CGI. Results: In patients with bipolar II disorder, improvement in mean MADRS total score from baseline was significantly greater with quetiapine 300 (n=107) and 600mg/day (n=106) from the first assessment (week 1) through week 8 compared with placebo (n=108). The mean change from baseline at week 8 for quetiapine 300 and 600mg/day versus placebo was −17.1 and −17.9 versus −13.3 (P=0.005 and P=0.001 versus placebo), respectively. Change in HAM-D, HAM-A, and CGI were also significantly greater for quetiapine groups versus placebo. Common adverse events in the quetiapine groups included dry mouth, sedation, and somnolence. Conclusion. Quetiapine demonstrated significant efficacy as monotherapy, compared with placebo, for the treatment of acute depressive episodes in bipolar II disorder.