Group-based trajectory analysis of depressive symptoms in patients treated with antidepressants in Chinese cohort...

To characterize response trajectories in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and identify clinical and demographic predictors of symptom alleviation.

This study was a secondary analysis of longitudinal data collected from 10 governances of China from November 9, 2016, to December 30, 2020. Depressive symptoms were mainly measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify symptom trajectories from baseline to week 24.

A total of 1,438 participants were included. Two trajectories were identified: 74.27% of participants belonged to trajectory 1, labeled as the ''rapid symptom reduction trajectory,'' characterized by moderate depression followed by rapid symptom reduction after treatment; and 25.73% of participants belonged to trajectory 2, labeled as the ''delayed symptom reduction trajectory,'' characterized by severe depression and a gradual decline in symptoms over 24 weeks. Compared with those in the rapid symptom reduction trajectory, values (including the HAMD-17 total score at baseline, the proportion of female participants, and the duration of untreated episodes) were significantly higher in the delayed symptom reduction trajectory.

Distinct response trajectories were identified in patients with MDD. Milder baseline severity, shorter untreated episodes, and male sex predicted rapid responses, aiding in treatment guidance.