Comparing the associations of three psychometric scales at baseline with long‐term prognosis of depression over a 10‐year period

Abstract

Objective: The Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS), a free scale, includes depression (DS) and somatic (SS) subscales. This study aimed to compare the associations of the baseline DSSS, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores with the outcome of depression over a 10-year follow-up period.Methods: Two hundred ninety outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) were enrolled and were followed-up at the 6-month, 2-year, and 10-year points.The three scales were administered at each follow-up. Multiple linear regressions were used to compare the associations. Results:In a comparison of the HAMD, DS, and HADS-depression, the HAMD and DS scores at baseline were most strongly associated with the HAMD score at two (6-month and 2-year) and one (10-year) follow-up points, respectively. In a comparison of the HAMD, DS, SS, HADS-depression, and HADS-anxiety, the SS and HAMD scores at baseline were most strongly associated with the HAMD score at two (6-month and 10-year) and one (2-year) follow-up points, respectively. Conclusions:The DS, SS, and HAMD scores at baseline were significantly associated with the long-term outcome of depression. Scales or subscales assessing somatic symptoms might be more strongly associated with the outcome of depression.

Identifying the Subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder Based on Somatic Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study Using Latent Profile Analysis

“…The DS, SS, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores at baseline were reported to be significantly associated with the long-term outcome of depression. Besides, the scales or subscales for assessing somatic symptoms might be more strongly associated with the outcome of depression ( 22 ). The total score of DSSS ranges from 0 to 66, in which DS ranges from 0 to 36 and SS ranges from 0 to 30.…”

“…The Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS) is a reliable questionnaire, which can assess and monitor the severity of both depressive and somatic symptoms. DSSS is composed of two major subscales, namely, the depressive subscale (DS), including 12 items, and the somatic subscale (SS), including 10 items (21). The DS, SS, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores at baseline were reported to be significantly associated with the long-term outcome of depression.…”