Restoration of psychosocial functioning in remitted major depressive disorder patients: A 1-year longitudinal study.

Background: The recovery of psychosocial functioning is an important treatment goal for patients with depression. The aim of the present study is to investigate psychosocial functioning restoration 1 year after major depressive disorder (MDD) remission.

Methods: Depression symptoms and psychosocial functioning were assessed in 167 remitted MDD patients at baseline, as well as 1, 2, 6, 9, and 12 months following remission, according to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Generic Quality of Life Inventory (GQOLI-74).

Results: Of the 167 MDD patients, 85 completed the final evaluation at 1 year, 32 relapsed, and 50 dropped out. The total relapse rate over 1 year was 27%. A rapid increase in psychosocial functioning was found in the first 2 months after remission in the non-relapse group. In the non-relapse group, psychosocial functioning was higher at 2 months than at baseline. At baseline and 2 months, psychosocial functioning was lower in the relapse group patients compared to those in the non-relapse group.

Conclusions: Patients with MDD showed continuous improvement in psychosocial functioning during the first year after remission, though psychosocial functioning in the relapse group remained the same during the first two months, suggesting possible further relapse.