Social function scores and influencing factors in patients with residual depressive symptoms

At present, the influencing factors of social function in patients with residual depressive symptoms are still unclear. Residual depressive symptoms are highly harmful, leading to low mood in patients, affecting work and interpersonal communication, increasing the risk of recurrence, and adding to the burden on families. Studying the influencing factors of their social function is of great significance.

To explore the social function score and its influencing factors in patients with residual depressive symptoms.

This observational study surveyed patients with residual depressive symptoms (case group) and healthy patients undergoing physical examinations (control group). Participants were admitted between January 2022 and December 2023. Social functioning was assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and scores were compared between groups. Factors influencing SDS scores in patients with residual depressive symptoms were analyzed by applying multiple linear regression while using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and these factors' predictive efficacy on social function impairment was assessed.

The SDS scores of the 158 patients with depressive symptoms were 11.48 ± 3.26. Compared with the control group, the SDS scores and all items in the case group were higher. SDS scores were higher in patients with relapse, discontinuous medication, drug therapy alone, severe somatic symptoms, obvious residual symptoms, and anxiety scores ≥ 8. Disease history, medication compliance, therapy method, and residual symptoms correlated positively with SDS scores (r = 0.354, 0.414, 0.602, and 0.456, respectively). Independent influencing factors included disease history, medication compliance, therapy method, somatic symptoms, residual symptoms, and anxiety scores (P < 0.05). The areas under the curve for predicting social functional impairment using these factors were 0.713, 0.559, 0.684, 0.729, 0.668, and 0.628, respectively, with sensitivities of 79.2%, 61.8%, 76.8%, 81.7%, 63.6%, and 65.5% and specificities of 83.3%, 87.5%, 82.6%, 83.3%, 86.7%, and 92.1%, respectively.

The social function scores of patients with residual symptoms of depression are high. They are affected by disease history, medication compliance, therapy method, degree of somatic symptoms, residual symptoms, and anxiety.