Prevalence and socio-clinical correlates of mixed features specifier in depressive episode: A cross-sectional study...

Depressive episodes with mixed features specifier (MFS) represent a diagnostically and therapeutically complex presentation of mood disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical profile of MFS among patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) using DSM-5 criteria.

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry of a tertiary care teaching hospital and the Mental Health Institute in Northern India. Patients with current depressive episode (MDD or BD) and subsequently MFS were assessed using DSM-5 criteria. Socio-demographic data were collected using a specially designed proforma. Symptom severity was evaluated using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Koukopoulos Mixed Depression Rating Scale (KMDRS), and Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale - Mixed (CUDOS-M). Additional clinical correlates, including sleep quality (PSQI), affective temperament (TEMPS-A), substance use (ASSIST), and seasonal pattern, were also assessed.

A total of 270 patients were recruited. The prevalence of MFS was 17.4 % overall, with 9.9 % in MDD and 63.1 % in BD (p < 0.001). MFS was significantly associated with rural residence (p = 0.041), lower socioeconomic status (p = 0.006), poor insight (p < 0.001), and higher use of antipsychotics (p < 0.001) and mood stabilizers (p < 0.001). Bipolar MFS patients exhibited higher YMRS (p = 0.001) and KMDRS scores, more severe sleep disturbances, greater substance use, predominant cyclothymic and irritable temperaments, with irritability strongly correlating with clinical severity.

Less than 1/5th of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression have MFS. MFS is significantly associated with various social and clinical parameters. Early identification may have significant diagnostic and therapeutic implications.