the impact of residual symptoms in major depression残余症状抑郁症的影响.pdf

Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3, 2426-2440; doi:10.3390/ph3082426 OPEN ACCESS pharmaceuticals ISSN 1424-8247 /journal/pharmaceuticals Review The Impact of Residual Symptoms in Major Depression Joshua A. Israel San Francisco VA Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, 4150 Clement Street, 116N, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; E-Mail: joshua.israel@ Received: 30 June 2010; in revised form: 2 July 2010 / Accepted: 22 July 2010 / Published: 3 August 2010 Abstract: The current definition of remission from major depressive disorder does not fully take into account all aspects of patient recovery. Residual symptoms of depression are very common in patients who are classified as being in remission. Patients with residual symptoms are at increased risk of functional and interpersonal impairments, and are at high risk for recurrence of depression. This article discusses the incidence of residual symptoms of depression, as well as the risks and consequences of these symptoms, and will review the state of current treatment. Keywords: major depressive disorder, MDD, antidepressive agents, residual symptoms, depression, depression treatment 1. Introduction It is well established that approximately 55% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) will respond to treatment with an initial antidepressant medication [1]. “Response,” when considered in its colloquial meaning, sounds like a highly desirable treatment outcome for a patient with