Acute response of social functioning in dysthymic patients with desipramine

Despite some evidence that short-term antidepressant treatment improves social dysfunction in depressed patients, little is known about the response of specific social impairments in dysthymic patients to antidepressant medication. We examined the effect of acute (10 weeks), open-label desipramine (DMI) treatment on social functioning in subjects with DSM-III-R dysthymia. Social functioning was assessed with the social adjustment scale self-report (SAS-SR) at baseline and at week 10. Compared with DMI nonresponders DMI responders showed significantly greater improvement in overall social functioning (F2,45 = 5.46, P < 0.0001) and in enjoyment of leisure time (F2,45 = 14.38, P < 0.0001) on the SAS-SR. Dysthymic patients who respond to DMI improve significantly in social functioning. Diminished capacity to enjoy leisure time may be a state marker of depression in some chronically depressed patients.