Outcome of depressive mood disorder among adolescent outpatients in an eight-year follow-up

Abstract

<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This study investigated the eight-year course and outcomes of depressive mood disorders and the key outcome predictors among adolescent outpatients.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Depressive adolescent outpatients (<em>N</em> = 148) in a naturalistic clinical setting were assessed at baseline, six months, 12 months and eight years using diagnostic and self-report instruments. Baseline predictors covered selected sociodemographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics. The outcomes were time to recovery, recurrence, time spent being ill and longitudinal latent profiles of depressive symptoms.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The recovery rate from any depressive mood disorder was 73% at two years, 91% at five years and 94% by the end of the eight-year follow-up. Two thirds (67%) of the subjects presented at least one recurrence and 57% of them were depressed for 25% or more of the follow-up period. At the eight-year follow-up, 36% had a mood disorder, 48% suffered from anxiety and 26% had a personality disorder. Less severe depression at baseline predicted a shorter time to recovery, whereas recurrence was predicted by a younger age. A latent profile with initially moderate-level depressive symptoms but a poor distal outcome was associated with being female and borderline personality disorder.</p></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><p>The female preponderance in the sample warrants caution when interpreting sex differences in the findings.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Although the depression outcome for some adolescents making the transition to young adulthood is promising, many of them experience long, even chronic episodes, and recurrences are common. Personality-disorder characteristics appeared to be significant outcome predictors in this adolescent population.</p></div>