Identifying the core residual symptom in patients with major depressive disorder using network analysis and illustrating its association with prognosis: A study based on the national cohorts in China.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the core residual symptom of MDD and assess its relationship with patients' long-term outcomes. METHOD: All patients were administered antidepressants during the acute phase and treated continuously. The 521 patients remitted at month 6 of a multicenter prospective project were included. Remission was defined as a Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self-Report total score of ≤5. Functional impairments were measured with the Sheehan Disability Scale, quality of life with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - short form, and family burden with the Family Burden Scale of Disease. Visits were scheduled at baseline, weeks 2, 8, 12, and month 6. RESULTS: Difficulty with concentration/decision making was the core residual symptom of MDD, determined with the centrality measure of network analysis. It was positively associated with functional impairments and family burden (r = 0.35, P < 0.01 and r = 0.31, P < 0.01, respectively) and negatively associated with life satisfaction (r = -0.29, P < 0.01). The exhibition of this residual symptom was associated with a family history of psychiatric disorders (OR = 2.610 [1.242-5.485]). CONCLUSIONS: The core residual symptom of MDD, difficulty with concentration/decision making, is associated with poorer social functioning, heavier family burden, and lower life satisfaction. Early detection and intervention of this symptom may be beneficial. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER (Chinese Clinical Trials.gov identifier) ChiCTR-OOC-17012566 and ChiCTR-INR-17012574.