Does personality disorder decrease the likelihood of remission in early-onset chronic depression?
published online 12 March 2009.
Abstract
Background
The impact of personality disorders (PD) on the course of depression has been gaining interest among clinical researchers over the past decade. Recent observational studies have found that PD was associated with impaired social functioning and reduced likelihood of depression recovery. Elevated rates of PD have been noted in early-onset and chronic forms subtypes of depression. However, scant data exist regarding the link between PD and outcome for this depression subtype.
Methods
The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions database was analyzed. This survey included 43 093 respondents, 18 years and older, conducted in 2001 through 2002. Logistic regression was used to identify demographic and clinical predictors of remission in early-onset chronic depression.
Results
The absence of PD, having more years of education, and being married considerably improved the likelihood of remission. Paranoid personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder were the only specific PD found to be associated with a reduced probability of remission.
Limitations
Depression remission status may have biased the recollection of PD symptoms. Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder were not assessed.
Conclusions
This study suggests that PD are significant predictors of remission in early-onset chronic depression.
Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Box 51, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032.
ABSTRACT