Changes in depression and quality of life during inpatient treatment of depression

The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in the symptoms of depression and subjective quality of life improvement during inpatient treatment.

A total of 87 patients were assessed during the first five days of hospitalization and during naturalistic follow-up at the time of discharge using Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form (CIDI-SF), structured interview for depressive symptoms assessment, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Questionnaire.

Results indicate that symptoms of depression decrease and quality of life increases during inpatient treatment. However, high frequency of residual symptoms was observed. More than half of all patients reported ten or more symptoms at time of discharge. Although same gender differences in the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms were observed at time of admission, gender did not impact significantly treatment outcomes. Older age, comorbid somatic diseases, higher number of depressive symptoms at the time of admission, CIDI-SF confirmed major depressive episode, and lower quality of life were related to poor outcome of the treatment. Multiple regression analyses suggested that CIDI-SF confirmed major depressive episode and physical health domain of the quality of life were the most significant predictors of the outcome.

Combination of measures of clinical assessment and quality of life can be useful for more complete patients' evaluation and the prediction of treatment outcome.