DOLESCENT DEPRESSION IS A common, chronic, recurrent, and impairing condition that accounts for a substantial proportion of the disability and mortality incurred in this age group. 1,2 Untreated depression results in impairment in school, interpersonal relationships, occupational adjustment, and in

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Objective To evaluate the clinical and prognostic significance of suicide attempts (SAs) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents with treatment-resistant depression. Method Depressed adolescents who did not improve with an adequate SSRI trial (N=334) were randomized to a medication switch (SSRI or venlafaxine) with or without cognitive-behavior therapy. NSSI and SAs were assessed at baseline and throughout the 24-week treatment period. Results 47.4% of youths reported a history of self-injurious behavior at baseline: 23.8% NSS-alone, 14% NSSI+SAs, 9.5% SAs-alone. The 24-week incidence rates of SAs and NSSI were 7% and 11%, respectively; these rates were highest among youths with NSSI+SAs at baseline. NSSI history predicted both incident SAs (HR= 5.28, 95% CI: 1.80–15.47, z= 3.04, p=.002) and incident NSSI (HR= 7.31, z= 4.19, 95% CI: 2.88–18.54, p<.001) through week-24, and was a stronger predictor of future attempts than a history of SAs (HR= 1.92, 95% CI: z = 2.29, p=.13). In the most parsimonious model predicting to time to incident SAs, baseline NSSI history and hopelessness were significant predictors, adjusting for treatment effects. Parallel analyses predicting time to incident NSSI through week-24, identified baseline NSSI history and physical and/or sexual abuse history as significant predictors. Conclusions NSSI is a common problem among youths with treatment resistant depression and a significant predictor of future SAs and NSSI, underscoring the critical need for strategies that target the prevention of both NSSI and suicidal behavior. Clinical Trial Registration Information Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA). URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT00018902.

Objective To identify symptom dimensions of depression that predict recovery among SSRI-treatment resistant adolescents undergoing second-step treatment. Method The Treatment of Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) trial included 334 SSRI-treatment resistant youth randomized to a medication switch, or a medication switch plus CBT. This study examined five established symptom dimensions (Child Depression Rating Scale-Revised) at baseline as they predicted recovery over 24 weeks of acute and continuation treatment. The two indices of recovery that were evaluated were time to remission and number of depression-free days. Results Multivariate analyses examining all five depression symptom dimensions simultaneously indicated that Anhedonia was the only dimension to predict a longer time to remission, and also the only dimension to predict fewer depression-free days. In addition, when Anhedonia and CDRS-total score were evaluated simultaneously, Anhedonia continued to uniquely predict longer time to remission and fewer depression-free days. Conclusions Anhedonia may represent an important negative prognostic indicator among treatment resistant depressed adolescents. Further research is needed to elucidate neurobehavioral underpinnings of anhedonia, and to test treatments that target anhedonia in the context of overall treatment of depression.

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