15 Nov, 2021 Read Time: 2 mins

Outcomes of treatment

Whether before, during, or after treatment, depression can have a significant impact on patients’ daily lives. In one analysis from the STAR*D trial, quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the QoL Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q):1

  • Before treatment, just 3% of patients with depression experienced a QoL that was deemed ‘normal’
  • Up to 60% of patients thought to be in remission following treatment continued to experience a reduced QoL

The impact of antidepressant therapy on a patient’s quality of life is termed the functional outcome of treatment, and is an important consideration when determining treatment success.2

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The patient’s perspective

Many patients place functional improvements as a greater priority of treatment than improved emotional stability – one study has shown that almost half of patients with depression who have been declared as in remission do not consider themselves to be in remission.3 Patients sometimes express different treatment goals to their treating physicians, often placing emphasis on some of the following:4

  • Increasing number of social relationships
  • Improving familial relationships
  • Finding a partner
  • Improving physical health
  • Finding a job
  • Improving intellectual/creative ability
  • Organising their home life

Optimising functional outcomes

Considering the functional impact of a patient’s condition from diagnosis can help to improve patient outcomes. Working with each patient to attain and understand their views on the goals of their antidepressant therapy can provide markers of progression and treatment success which should be monitored at each follow-up appointment.5 It can also provide a source of motivation for individuals with depression, encouraging them to comply with their treatment as prescribed in pursuit of improvements in aspects of daily life that are important to them.5

References

  1. Ishak WW et al. Quality of life in major depressive disorder before/after multiple steps of treatment and one-year follow-up. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 131(1): 51-60.
  2. Greer TL et al. Defining and measuring functional recovery from depression. CNS Drugs 2010; 24(4): 267-284.
  3. Zimmerman M et al. Why do some depressed outpatients who are in remission according to the Hamilton depression rating scale not consider themselves to be in remission? J Clin Psychiatry 2012; 73(6): 790-795
  4. Battle CL et al. Treatment goals of depressed outpatients: a qualitative investigation of goals identified by participants in a depression treatment trial. J Psychiatr Pract 2010; 16(6): 425-430.
  5. Culpepper L. Cognition in MDD: implications for primary care. In: Cognitive Dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder. Ed: McIntyre R, Cha D, 2015.