Assessment of outcome in depression.

Valid and reliable methods of assessing outcome in depression are crucial to antidepressant efficacy studies but are also important for all studies that relate response to other variables. In this paper we review basic issues of reliability and validity associated with outcome measurement. We distinguish between scales or inventories designed for screening or diagnosis and those intended for outcome assessment.

Residual symptoms in depressed patients after treatment with fluoxetine or reboxetine.

Background: Residual symptoms are common and have a variety of consequences in depressed patients who respond to treatment, but seldom have specific residual symptoms been assessed. We examined the frequency and severity of residual depressive symptoms in 2 studies comparing the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine with the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) reboxetine.

Method: Data from two 8-week, previously published, double-blind, random-assignment studies comparing fluoxetine and reboxetine were obtained.

Are there differences in the symptoms that respond to a selective serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor?

Background: We examined two previously published studies comparing a norepinephrine (NE) selective agent, reboxetine, and a serotonin (5-HT) selective agent, fluoxetine, to determine if these agents have different effects on individual depressive symptoms.

Methods: Both studies were 8-week, double-blind, comparison studies of men and women with DSM III-R major depression. Within-group effect sizes for individual symptom change on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) were determined in the observed case samples and in patients for whom the symptom was relatively severe at baseline.