Free T4 index and clinical outcome in patients with depression.

Introduction: Many studies of patients with major depression have reported that a significant decrease in serum free T(4) index is associated with specific treatments; what has been unanswered is whether these observations are generalizable. This study evaluated baseline thyroid function and its relationship to rapidity of treatment response as measured by hospital length of stay (HLOS).

Methods: Admission thyroid indices and HLOS data were harvested from the medical record of patients hospitalized for depression, both unipolar and bipolar.

The impact of antidepressant discontinuation versus antidepressant continuation on 1-year risk for relapse of bipolar depression: a retrospective chart review.

Background: Current treatment guidelines recommend discontinuation of an antidepressant within 3 to 6 months after remission of depression in patients with bipolar illness. Yet few studies directly compare the impact of antidepressant discontinuation versus antidepressant continuation on the risk for depressive relapse in patients with bipolar disorder who have been successfully treated for a depressive episode.

Method: In a retrospective chart review, patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder who were treated for an index episode of depression by adding antidepressant medication to ongoing mood stabilizer medications were identified.