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Tröger A, Miguel C, Ciharova M, de Ponti N, Durman G, Cuijpers P, Karyotaki E. Baseline depression severity as moderator on depression outcomes in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. J Affect Disord 2024; 344:86-99. [PMID: 37820960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based treatments for adult depression include psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, yet little is known about how baseline depression severity moderates treatment outcome. OBJECTIVES We aimed to compare the effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for adult depression and to examine the association between baseline depression severity and treatment outcome, converting multiple baseline depression measures into the scores of the Beck Depression Inventory, second edition (BDI-II). METHODS We conducted systematic searches in bibliographical databases up to September 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which psychotherapy was compared with pharmacotherapy in the treatment of adult depression. Various meta-regressions using the baseline depression severity as predictor of the relative effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy were performed. RESULTS We identified 65 RCTs including 7250 participants for the meta-analyses and 56 RCTs including 5548 participants for the meta-regression. We found no significant difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy (g = -0.08, 95 % CI: -0.2 to 0.04, p = 0.193) and baseline depression severity was not significantly associated with the relative effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy (B = 0.0032, SE = 0.0096, p = 0.74). Results were similar in several sensitivity analyses. LIMITATIONS Limitations included the low quality of the included studies, and the omission of long-term effects and within-study variability. CONCLUSIONS We found no indication for a moderation effect of baseline depression severity on the relative effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Thus, other factors such as availability and patients' preference must be considered when deciding for treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tröger
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Clara Miguel
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marketa Ciharova
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nino de Ponti
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Güldehan Durman
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eirini Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Cuijpers P, Noma H, Karyotaki E, Vinkers CH, Cipriani A, Furukawa TA. A network meta-analysis of the effects of psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies and their combination in the treatment of adult depression. World Psychiatry 2020; 19:92-107. [PMID: 31922679 PMCID: PMC6953550 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
No network meta-analysis has examined the relative effects of psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies and their combination in the treatment of adult depression, while this is a very important clinical issue. We conducted systematic searches in bibliographical databases to identify randomized trials in which a psychotherapy and a pharmacotherapy for the acute or long-term treatment of depression were compared with each other, or in which the combination of a psychotherapy and a pharmacotherapy was compared with either one alone. The main outcome was treatment response (50% improvement between baseline and endpoint). Remission and acceptability (defined as study drop-out for any reason) were also examined. Possible moderators that were assessed included chronic and treatment-resistant depression and baseline severity of depression. Data were pooled as relative risk (RR) using a random-effects model. A total of 101 studies with 11,910 patients were included. Depression in most studies was moderate to severe. In the network meta-analysis, combined treatment was more effective than psychotherapy alone (RR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.14-1.39) and pharmacotherapy alone (RR=1.25; 95% CI: 1.14-1.37) in achieving response at the end of treatment. No significant difference was found between psychotherapy alone and pharmacotherapy alone (RR=0.99; 95% CI: 0.92-1.08). Similar results were found for remission. Combined treatment (RR=1.23; 95% CI: 1.05-1.45) and psychotherapy alone (RR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.02-1.32) were more acceptable than pharmacotherapy. Results were similar for chronic and treatment-resistant depression. The combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy seems to be the best choice for patients with moderate depression. More research is needed on long-term effects of treatments (including cost-effectiveness), on the impact of specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, and on the effects in specific populations of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental PsychologyAmsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Hisashi Noma
- Department of Data ScienceInstitute of Statistical MathematicsTokyoJapan
| | - Eirini Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental PsychologyAmsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Department of PsychiatryAmsterdam UMC (location VUmc)AmsterdamThe Netherlands,Department of Anatomy and NeurosciencesAmsterdam UMC (location VUmc)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry Warneford Hospital, University of OxfordOxfordUK,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford HospitalOxfordUK
| | - Toshi A. Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human BehaviorKyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, School of Public HealthKyotoJapan
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Boschloo L, Bekhuis E, Weitz ES, Reijnders M, DeRubeis RJ, Dimidjian S, Dunner DL, Dunlop BW, Hegerl U, Hollon SD, Jarrett RB, Kennedy SH, Miranda J, Mohr D, Simons AD, Parker G, Petrak F, Herpertz S, Quilty LC, John Rush A, Segal ZV, Vittengl JR, Schoevers RA, Cuijpers P. The symptom-specific efficacy of antidepressant medication vs. cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis. World Psychiatry 2019; 18:183-191. [PMID: 31059603 PMCID: PMC6502416 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent individual patient data meta-analysis showed that antidepressant medication is slightly more efficacious than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing overall depression severity in patients with a DSM-defined depressive disorder. We used an update of that dataset, based on seventeen randomized clinical trials, to examine the comparative efficacy of antidepressant medication vs. CBT in more detail by focusing on individual depressive symptoms as assessed with the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Five symptoms (i.e., "depressed mood" , "feelings of guilt" , "suicidal thoughts" , "psychic anxiety" and "general somatic symptoms") showed larger improvements in the medication compared to the CBT condition (effect sizes ranging from .13 to .16), whereas no differences were found for the twelve other symptoms. In addition, network estimation techniques revealed that all effects, except that on "depressed mood" , were direct and could not be explained by any of the other direct or indirect treatment effects. Exploratory analyses showed that information about the symptom-specific efficacy could help in identifying those patients who, based on their pre-treatment symptomatology, are likely to benefit more from antidepressant medication than from CBT (effect size of .30) versus those for whom both treatments are likely to be equally efficacious. Overall, our symptom-oriented approach results in a more thorough evaluation of the efficacy of antidepressant medication over CBT and shows potential in "precision psychiatry" .
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Boschloo
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Department of Psychiatry and Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE)University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ella Bekhuis
- Department of Psychiatry and Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE)University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Erica S. Weitz
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Reijnders
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Sona Dimidjian
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCOUSA
| | - David L. Dunner
- Center for Anxiety and Depression, Mercer IslandWashingtonWAUSA
| | - Boadie W. Dunlop
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | | | - Robin B. Jarrett
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | | | - Jeanne Miranda
- Health Services Research Center, Neuropsychiatric InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - David C. Mohr
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Anne D. Simons
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameINUSA
| | - Gordon Parker
- School of PsychiatryUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Frank Petrak
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyLWL‐University Clinic Bochum, Ruhr University BochumBochumGermany
| | - Stephan Herpertz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyLWL‐University Clinic Bochum, Ruhr University BochumBochumGermany
| | - Lena C. Quilty
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada,Campbell Family Mental Health Research InstituteCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoONCanada
| | - A. John Rush
- Duke‐National University of Singapore Graduate Medical SchoolSingapore,Department of PsychiatryDuke Medical SchoolDurham, NCUSA,Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterPermian BasinTXUSA
| | - Zindel V. Segal
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Toronto ScarboroughTorontoONCanada
| | | | - Robert A. Schoevers
- Department of Psychiatry and Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE)University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Cristea IA, Gentili C, Pietrini P, Cuijpers P. Sponsorship bias in the comparative efficacy of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for adult depression: meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry 2017; 210:16-23. [PMID: 27810891 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.115.179275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sponsorship bias has never been investigated for non-pharmacological treatments like psychotherapy. AIMS We examined industry funding and author financial conflict of interest (COI) in randomised controlled trials directly comparing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in depression. METHOD We conducted a meta-analysis with subgroup comparisons for industry v. non-industry-funded trials, and respectively for trial reports with author financial COI v. those without. RESULTS In total, 45 studies were included. In most analyses, pharmacotherapy consistently showed significant effectiveness over psychotherapy, g = -0.11 (95% CI -0.21 to -0.02) in industry-funded trials. Differences between industry and non-industry-funded trials were significant, a result only partly confirmed in sensitivity analyses. We identified five instances where authors of the original article had not reported financial COI. CONCLUSIONS Industry-funded trials for depression appear to subtly favour pharmacotherapy over psychotherapy. Disclosure of all financial ties with the pharmaceutical industry should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana A Cristea
- Ioana A. Cristea, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Claudio Gentili, Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, Pietro Pietrini, IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy; Pim Cuijpers, Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudio Gentili
- Ioana A. Cristea, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Claudio Gentili, Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, Pietro Pietrini, IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy; Pim Cuijpers, Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pietro Pietrini
- Ioana A. Cristea, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Claudio Gentili, Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, Pietro Pietrini, IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy; Pim Cuijpers, Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Ioana A. Cristea, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Claudio Gentili, Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, Pietro Pietrini, IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy; Pim Cuijpers, Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Jobst A, Brakemeier EL, Buchheim A, Caspar F, Cuijpers P, Ebmeier KP, Falkai P, Jan van der Gaag R, Gaebel W, Herpertz S, Kurimay T, Sabaß L, Schnell K, Schramm E, Torrent C, Wasserman D, Wiersma J, Padberg F. European Psychiatric Association Guidance on psychotherapy in chronic depression across Europe. Eur Psychiatry 2016; 33:18-36. [PMID: 26854984 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with chronic depression (CD) by definition respond less well to standard forms of psychotherapy and are more likely to be high utilizers of psychiatric resources. Therefore, the aim of this guidance paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of current psychotherapy for CD. The evidence of efficacy is critically reviewed and recommendations for clinical applications and research are given. METHODS We performed a systematic literature search to identify studies on psychotherapy in CD, evaluated the retrieved documents and developed evidence tables and recommendations through a consensus process among experts and stakeholders. RESULTS We developed 5 recommendations which may help providers to select psychotherapeutic treatment options for this patient group. The EPA considers both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to be effective in CD and recommends both approaches. The best effect is achieved by combined treatment with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, which should therefore be the treatment of choice. The EPA recommends psychotherapy with an interpersonal focus (e.g. the Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy [CBASP]) for the treatment of CD and a personalized approach based on the patient's preferences. DISCUSSION The DSM-5 nomenclature of persistent depressive disorder (PDD), which includes CD subtypes, has been an important step towards a more differentiated treatment and understanding of these complex affective disorders. Apart from dysthymia, ICD-10 still does not provide a separate entity for a chronic course of depression. The differences between patients with acute episodic depression and those with CD need to be considered in the planning of treatment. Specific psychotherapeutic treatment options are recommended for patients with CD. CONCLUSION Patients with chronic forms of depression should be offered tailored psychotherapeutic treatments that address their specific needs and deficits. Combination treatment with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is the first-line treatment recommended for CD. More research is needed to develop more effective treatments for CD, especially in the longer term, and to identify which patients benefit from which treatment algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jobst
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - E-L Brakemeier
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Berlin University of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Buchheim
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - F Caspar
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - P Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K P Ebmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - P Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - W Gaebel
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - S Herpertz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - T Kurimay
- Institute of Behaviour Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - L Sabaß
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - K Schnell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - E Schramm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - C Torrent
- Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, CIBERSAM, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Wasserman
- National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental lll-Health (NASP), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Wiersma
- Department of Psychiatry, GGZinGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
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Cuijpers P, Karyotaki E, Andersson G, Li J, Mergl R, Hegerl U. The effects of blinding on the outcomes of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for adult depression: A meta-analysis. Eur Psychiatry 2015; 30:685-93. [PMID: 26169475 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomized trials with antidepressants are often run under double blind placebo-controlled conditions, whereas those with psychotherapies are mostly unblinded. This can introduce bias in favor of psychotherapy when the treatments are directly compared. In this meta-analysis, we examine this potential source of bias. METHODS We searched Pubmed, PsycInfo, Embase and the Cochrane database (1966 to January 2014) by combining terms indicative of psychological treatment and depression, and limited to randomized trials. We included 35 trials (with 3721 patients) in which psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for adult depression were directly compared with each other. We calculated effect sizes for each study indicating the difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy at post-test. Then, we examined the difference between studies with a placebo condition and those without in moderator analyses. RESULTS We did not find a significant difference between the studies with and those without a placebo condition. The studies in which a placebo condition was included indicated no significant difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy (g=-0.07; NNT=25). Studies in which no placebo condition was included (and patients and clinicians in both conditions were not blinded), resulted in a small, but significant difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in favor of pharmacotherapy (g=-0.13; NNT=14). CONCLUSIONS Studies comparing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in which both groups of patients (and therapists) are not blinded (no placebo condition is included) result in a very small, but significantly higher effect for pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cuijpers
- Department of clinical psychology, VU University Amsterdam, 1, Van der Boechorststraat, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, The Netherlands.
| | - E Karyotaki
- Department of clinical psychology, VU University Amsterdam, 1, Van der Boechorststraat, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, The Netherlands
| | - G Andersson
- Department of behavioural sciences and learning, Swedish institute for disability research, Linköping University, Sweden; Department of clinical neuroscience, psychiatry section, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Li
- Key laboratory of mental health, institute of psychology, Chinese academy of sciences, Beijing, China
| | - R Mergl
- Department of psychiatry and psychotherapy, university of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - U Hegerl
- Department of psychiatry and psychotherapy, university of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Cuijpers P, Weitz E, Twisk J, Kuehner C, Cristea I, David D, DeRubeis RJ, Dimidjian S, Dunlop BW, Faramarzi M, Hegerl U, Jarrett RB, Kennedy SH, Kheirkhah F, Mergl R, Miranda J, Mohr DC, Segal ZV, Siddique J, Simons AD, Vittengl JR, Hollon SD. Gender as predictor and moderator of outcome in cognitive behavior therapy and pharmacotherapy for adult depression: an "individual patient data" meta-analysis. Depress Anxiety 2014; 31:941-51. [PMID: 25407584 DOI: 10.1002/da.22328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has yet to be established whether gender moderates or predicts outcome of psychological and pharmacological treatments for adult depression because: (1) individual randomized trials typically lack sufficient statistical power to detect moderators and predictors and (2) meta-analyses cannot examine such associations directly. METHODS We conducted an "individual patient data" meta-analysis with the primary data of 1,766 patients from 14 eligible randomized trials comparing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with pharmacotherapy. Five studies also compared CBT and pharmacotherapy with pill placebo. We examined the extent to which gender moderates or predicts outcome, using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17-item (HAM-D-17), with mixed effects models. RESULTS Despite the high statistical power, we did not find any indication (P > 0.05) that gender moderates outcome (i.e., no indication that either men or women respond better or worse to CBT than to pharmacotherapy or vice versa). Gender was neither a nonspecific predictor (indicating whether gender is related to improvement, regardless of comparison or control groups), nor a specific predictor (predicting outcome of CBT and pharmacotherapy compared to pill placebo). The average differences between men and women within three conditions (CBT, pharmacotherapy, and pill placebo) were less than one point on the HAM-D-17. CONCLUSIONS The lack of predictive relations in a this good sized sample suggests that gender does not moderate differential response to CBT versus medication treatment and that it neither predicts nonspecific response across the treatments nor the specificity of response for either treatment with respect to pill placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF. The efficacy of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in treating depressive and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of direct comparisons. World Psychiatry 2013; 12:137-48. [PMID: 23737423 PMCID: PMC3683266 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although psychotherapy and antidepressant medication are efficacious in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders, it is not known whether they are equally efficacious for all types of disorders, and whether all types of psychotherapy and antidepressants are equally efficacious for each disorder. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies in which psychotherapy and antidepressant medication were directly compared in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. Systematic searches in bibliographical databases resulted in 67 randomized trials, including 5,993 patients that met inclusion criteria, 40 studies focusing on depressive disorders and 27 focusing on anxiety disorders. The overall effect size indicating the difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy after treatment in all disorders was g=0.02 (95% CI: -0.07 to 0.10), which was not statistically significant. Pharmacotherapy was significantly more efficacious than psychotherapy in dysthymia (g=0.30), and psychotherapy was significantly more efficacious than pharmacotherapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder (g=0.64). Furthermore, pharmacotherapy was significantly more efficacious than non-directive counseling (g=0.33), and psychotherapy was significantly more efficacious than pharmacotherapy with tricyclic antidepressants (g=0.21). These results remained significant when we controlled for other characteristics of the studies in multivariate meta-regression analysis, except for the differential effects in dysthymia, which were no longer statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081, BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Leuphana University, Lünebrug, Germany
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Kriston L, von Wolff A, Hölzel L. Effectiveness of psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and combined treatments for chronic depression: a systematic review (METACHRON). BMC Psychiatry 2010; 10:95. [PMID: 21092304 PMCID: PMC3002317 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-10-95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic depressions represent a substantial part of depressive disorders and are associated with severe consequences. Several studies were performed addressing the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and combined treatments for chronic depressions. Yet, a systematic review comparing the effectiveness of multiple treatment options and considering all subtypes of chronic depressions is still missing. METHODS/DESIGN Aim of this project is to summarize empirical evidence on efficacy and effectiveness of treatments for chronic depression by means of a systematic review. The primary objectives of the study are to examine, which interventions are effective; to examine, if any differences in effectiveness between active treatment options exist; and to find possible treatment effect modifiers. Psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and combined treatments will be considered as experimental interventions and no treatment, wait-list, psychological/pharmacological placebo, treatment as usual, and other active treatments will be seen as comparators. The population of patients will include adults with chronic major depression, dysthymia, double depression, or recurrent depression without complete remission between episodes. Outcomes of the analyses are depressive symptoms, associated consequences, adverse events, and study discontinuation. Only randomized controlled trials will be considered. DISCUSSION Given the high prevalence and serious consequences of chronic depression and a considerable amount of existing primary studies addressing the effectiveness of different treatments the present systematic review may be of high relevance. Special attention will be given to the use of current methodological standards. Findings are likely to provide crucial information that may help clinicians to choose the appropriate treatment for chronically depressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levente Kriston
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Alessa von Wolff
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Lars Hölzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
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Hollon SD, Ponniah K. A review of empirically supported psychological therapies for mood disorders in adults. Depress Anxiety 2010; 27:891-932. [PMID: 20830696 PMCID: PMC2948609 DOI: 10.1002/da.20741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mood disorders are prevalent and problematic. We review randomized controlled psychotherapy trials to find those that are empirically supported with respect to acute symptom reduction and the prevention of subsequent relapse and recurrence. METHODS We searched the PsycINFO and PubMed databases and the reference sections of chapters and journal articles to identify appropriate articles. RESULTS One hundred twenty-five studies were found evaluating treatment efficacy for the various mood disorders. With respect to the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and behavior therapy (BT) are efficacious and specific and brief dynamic therapy (BDT) and emotion-focused therapy (EFT) are possibly efficacious. CBT is efficacious and specific, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) efficacious, and BDT and EFT possibly efficacious in the prevention of relapse/recurrence following treatment termination and IPT and CBT are each possibly efficacious in the prevention of relapse/recurrence if continued or maintained. IPT is possibly efficacious in the treatment of dysthymic disorder. With respect to bipolar disorder (BD), CBT and family-focused therapy (FFT) are efficacious and interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) possibly efficacious as adjuncts to medication in the treatment of depression. Psychoeducation (PE) is efficacious in the prevention of mania/hypomania (and possibly depression) and FFT is efficacious and IPSRT and CBT possibly efficacious in preventing bipolar episodes. CONCLUSIONS The newer psychological interventions are as efficacious as and more enduring than medications in the treatment of MDD and may enhance the efficacy of medications in the treatment of BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Hollon
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA.
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Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy plus pharmacotherapy in chronically depressed inpatients. J Affect Disord 2008; 109:65-73. [PMID: 18067973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2007.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2007] [Revised: 10/16/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical guidelines recommend the combination of pharmaco- and psychotherapy for the treatment of chronic depression, although there are only a few studies supporting an additive effect of psychotherapy. METHODS Forty-five inpatients with a chronic Major Depressive Disorder were randomized to 5 weeks of either Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) modified for an inpatient setting (15 individual and 8 group sessions) plus pharmacotherapy or to medication plus Clinical Management (CM). The 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was the primary outcome measure. The study included a prospective naturalistic follow-up, 3- and 12-months after discharge. RESULTS Intent-to-treat analyses revealed a significantly greater reduction of depressive symptoms as well as better global functioning of patients treated with IPT compared to the CM group at week 5. Response and sustained response rates differed significantly between the two treatment conditions, favouring the IPT group. Remission rates were considerably higher for IPT patients who completed the treatment (67% vs. 32%). Patients who initially responded to IPT exhibited greater treatment gains at 12 months since only 7% of these subjects relapsed compared with 25% of the CM subjects. In the long-term, additional IPT led to a lower symptom level and higher global functioning. LIMITATIONS The study uses data of a subset of patients from a larger trial. Both treatment groups did not receive comparable amounts of therapeutic attention. Extrapolating the data from this inpatient study to chronically depressed outpatients may not be possible. CONCLUSIONS Intensive combined treatment provides superior acute and long-term effects over standard treatment in chronically depressed inpatients.
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Jans LAW, Riedel WJ, Markus CR, Blokland A. Serotonergic vulnerability and depression: assumptions, experimental evidence and implications. Mol Psychiatry 2007; 12:522-43. [PMID: 17160067 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the term serotonergic vulnerability (SV) has been used in scientific literature, but so far it has not been explicitly defined. This review article attempts to elucidate the SV concept. SV can be defined as increased sensitivity to natural or experimental alterations of the serotonergic (5-HTergic) system. Several factors that may disrupt the 5-HTergic system and hence contribute to SV are discussed, including genetic factors, female gender, personality characteristics, several types of stress and drug use. It is explained that SV can be demonstrated by means of manipulations of the 5-HTergic system, such as 5-HT challenges or acute tryptophan depletion (ATD). Results of 5-HT challenge studies and ATD studies are discussed in terms of their implications for the concept of SV. A model is proposed in which a combination of various factors that may compromise 5-HT functioning in one person can result in depression or other 5-HT-related pathology. By manipulating 5-HT levels, in particular with ATD, vulnerable subjects may be identified before pathology initiates, providing the opportunity to take preventive action. Although it is not likely that this model applies to all cases of depression, or is able to identify all vulnerable subjects, the strength of the model is that it may enable identification of vulnerable subjects before the 5-HT related pathology occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A W Jans
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Neurocognition, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Schramm E, Caspar F, Berger M. Spezifische Therapie für chronische Depression. DER NERVENARZT 2006; 77:355-70; quiz 371. [PMID: 16508747 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-006-2059-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chronic depression is a common disorder which causes significant impairment and enormous treatment costs. Traditional pharmacological and psychological treatment approaches have shown only modest success. The Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) by James McCullough is the only therapy developed specifically for chronic depression. It integrates behavioral, cognitive, and interpersonal strategies. The approach is supported empirically and shown to be effective. This article presents the state of the art regarding research in psychotherapeutic treatment for chronic depression. In addition, the development of the approach and therapeutic strategies and techniques of CBASP are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Schramm
- Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 5, 79104, Freiburg, Deutschland.
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Tse WS, Bond AJ. The Application of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in Predicting General Social Adaptation and Specific Social Behaviors in a Dyadic Interaction. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2005.tb02185.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Dysthymic disorder is a chronic form of depression which is frequently complicated by major depressive episodes. This paper renews the diagnostic status of dysthymic disorder, treatment studies, and makes suggestions for the classification of chronic forms of depression for DSM-V.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Dunner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington Medical School, Washington 98105, USA.
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Arnow BA, Constantino MJ. Effectiveness of psychotherapy and combination treatment for chronic depression. J Clin Psychol 2003; 59:893-905. [PMID: 12858430 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.10181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although considerable research has been conducted on the efficacy of psychotherapy for depression, with and without medication, relatively few studies have focused on chronic forms of depression. Approximately 20% of individuals with depression experience episodes that last for two years or longer. We review the controlled research on the effectiveness of treatments separately for dysthymia and chronic major depression, focusing on the practical implications of the research for clinicians. In trials conducted with dysthymics, medication has been superior to psychotherapy, with limited evidence that combined treatment has advantages over medication or psychotherapy alone. In chronic major depression, combined treatment has demonstrated significant superiority over medication or psychotherapy alone. Possible explanations for the discrepant findings among dysthymics and those with chronic major depression are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Arnow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305-5722, USA.
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18
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Abstract
Scale scores on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ)-novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), and reward dependence (RD)-can predict response to antidepressants. This study examined 89 patients with Bipolar Disorder (I, II) or Major Depressive Disorder, both with recurrent winter seasonal pattern. The TPQ was administered while the patients were depressed, following 10-14 days of bright light therapy (30 min, 10,000 lux) and after spontaneous springtime remission. The Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) assessed the severity of depression. At baseline, there were no significant differences between diagnostic subgroups or responders and non-responders on the TPQ or SIGH-SAD scales, though baseline RD scores were significantly higher in women than men. Furthermore, neither severity of depression nor magnitude of post-treatment clinical improvement was significantly correlated with baseline TPQ scores. Only HA scores decreased after treatment, with responders showing the greatest effect. HA scores also decreased from the baseline to springtime assessments for the group as a whole, with no difference between responders and non-responders. This is the first study to demonstrate that HA is state- rather than trait-dependent in seasonal affective disorder. The TPQ dimensions of temperament do not predict response to light therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namni Goel
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 10032, New York, NY, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Many drug treatments have been proposed for the treatment of dysthymia, but with so many potential comparisons it is not possible at the present time to determine which is the treatment of choice. There is a need to know whether the different classes of antidepressants have similar efficacy. In addition, the tolerability of treatments may be even more important, since dysthymia is a chronic condition characterised by less severe symptoms than major depression. OBJECTIVES To conduct a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials comparing two or more active drug treatments for dysthymia. SEARCH STRATEGY Electronic searches of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycLIT and LILACS, Biological Abstracts; reference searching; personal communication; unpublished trials from pharmaceutical industry. SELECTION CRITERIA Only randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials were included. Trials had to compare at least two active drug treatments in the treatment of dysthymia. Exclusion criteria were: non-randomised studies, studies which included patients with mixed major depression/dysthymia and studies on depression/dysthymia secondary to other disorders (e.g. substance abuse). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The reviewers extracted the data independently and odds ratios, weighted mean difference and number needed to treat were estimated. The reviewers assumed that people who died or dropped out had no improvement and tested the sensitivity of the final results to this assumption. MAIN RESULTS A total of 14 trials were eligible for inclusion in the review. All studied drugs promoted similar clinical responses, although with different side effect profiles. The evidence for TCAs and SSRIs was the most robust, considering the number of trials and participants. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS The conclusion is that the choice of drug must be made based on consideration of drug-specific side effect properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Silva de Lima
- Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Avenida Duque de Caxias, 250, Pelotas 96100, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Dunner DL, Hendricksen HE, Bea C, Budech CB, Friedman SD. Dysthymic disorder: treatment with citalopram. Depress Anxiety 2002; 15:18-22. [PMID: 11816048 DOI: 10.1002/da.1080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied 15 patients with dysthymic disorder with open-label citalopram. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose range and safety of citalopram necessary for treatment of patients with dysthymic disorder and to attempt to increase doses in order to enhance remission of patients with dysthymic disorder when treated. Citalopram was well tolerated. The mean dose used in this 10-week study was 37.3 mg and the majority of patients responded to treatment. Various criteria for response and remission were employed. These findings are intended to give guidelines for a subsequent treatment study of dysthymic patients with citalopram using a double-blind placebo-controlled strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Dunner
- Center for Anxiety and Depression, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
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Abstract
Dysthymic disorder, a form of chronic depression, has been studied over the past two decades. A variety of forms of research, from epidemiological research to psychopharmacology and psychotherapy outcome studies, has provided data that may help clinicians who treat patients with dysthymic disorder. This article reviews clinically relevant research studies and applies their findings to the clinical setting. Epidemiological research and prospective follow-up studies can define the risks of untreated and under-treated chronic depression. Studies on the phenomenology of dysthymic disorder can help the clinician assess target symptoms. Psychopharmacology and psychotherapy research can help guide treatment choices. The emerging literature on combining medication and psychotherapy can clarify goals for different phases of treatment. Thus the clinician has a significantly greater chance of helping patients with dysthymic disorder now than only 20 years ago.
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Abstract
Dimensional models can be usefully employed to describe both normal and disordered personality. Studies in molecular genetics, receptor binding, peripheral monoamines and pharmacological challenges have investigated the neurochemical basis of personality. Substantial evidence now exists to support a psychobiological model but the specificity of Cloninger's theory has not always been confirmed. Clinical studies have shown both temperament and character dimensions to improve with pharmacological treatment especially in treatment responders. Some personality changes are found to be independent of clinical effects and even to occur in normal subjects. Models of personality can help in predicting treatment outcome but individual dimensions may not be useful. It is hypothesised that social adaptation is related to the character dimensions and different sources of evidence link these to serotonergic actions. However, recent clinical studies have shown a specific effect of noradrenaline on self-perception and social motivation. Drugs with specific actions on different neurotransmitters may exert a distinctive pattern of effects on personality and social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Bond
- Section of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF, London, UK.
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Griffiths J, Ravindran AV, Merali Z, Anisman H. Dysthymia: a review of pharmacological and behavioral factors. Mol Psychiatry 2000; 5:242-61. [PMID: 10889527 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4000697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Although dysthymia, a chronic, low-grade form of depression, has a morbidity rate as high as that of major depression, and increases the risk for major depressive disorder, limited information is available concerning the etiology of this illness. In the present report we review literature concerning the biological and characterological features of dysthymia, the effectiveness of antidepressant treatments, the influence of stressors in the precipitation and maintenance of the disorder, and both quality of life and psychosocial correlates of the illness. We also provisionally suggest that dysthymia may stem from disturbances of neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter functioning (eg, corticotropin releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin within the hypothalamus, or alternatively monoamine variations within several extrahypothalamic sites), and may also involve cytokine activation. The central disturbances may reflect phenotypic variations of neuroendocrine processes or sensitization of such mechanisms. It is suggested that chronic stressor experiences or stressors encountered early in life lead to the phenotypic neurochemical alterations, which then favor the development of the dysthymic state. Owing to the persistence of the neurochemical disturbances, vulnerability to double depression is increased, and in this instance treatment with antidepressants may attenuate the symptoms of major depression but not those of the basal dysthymic state. Moreover, the residual features of depression following treatment may be indicative of underlying neurochemical disturbances, and may also serve to increase the probability of illness recurrence or relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Griffiths
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Abstract
This article reviews recent studies of psychotherapy for treatment of depression. There is evidence that cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapies are useful treatments for depressed outpatients, roughly comparable to antidepressant pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy do not, however, necessarily treat the same patients and there is emerging evidence of a neurobiological "boundary" that may delimit therapy response. Psychotherapy plus pharmacotherapy combinations appear particularly useful for outpatients with more severe, recurrent depressions. Depression-focused psychotherapy may also provide an important alternative to an indefinite course of maintenance pharmacotherapy for patients at high risk for recurrence.
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