Outcome in a specialist referral clinic for mood disorders: a qualitative and quantitative review

The aim of this study was to determine whether short-term outcome for those referred with a depressive disorder could be predicted from baseline clinical assessment and identify factors contributing to outcome in a clinic operating to a subtyping diagnostic and aetiologically weighted management model.

This pilot study involved a consecutive series of 85 patients referred to the Depression Clinic at the Black Dog Institute.

Globally assessed baseline prediction was associated with short-term outcome. Comparably high rates of improvement were evident in those with bipolar, melancholic and non-melancholic subtypes, and somewhat lower in those diagnosed with a 'secondary depression'. Qualitative and quantitative analyses established that outcome was most clearly associated with referral source, degree of take up of recommendations and implementation of psychotropic drug strategies.

Study results encourage more definitive and comparative study designs to be derived.