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Depression treatment studies usually focus on achieving symptom remission (minimal or no symptoms) or response (symptom reduction of ≥50%); few also consider overall quality of life (QOL). Using data from 2280 patients entered into STAR*D, a large, multistep treatment study of major depression (NEJM JW Psychiatry Apr 5 2006), investigators examined how treatment affected patient-rated satisfaction or enjoyment of mood, relationships, living situations, and physical health). Less than 2% of participants had baseline QOL scores within the normal range.
Among 812 patients whose depression remitted in level 1 (citalopram monotherapy), 79% had severely impaired self-rated QOL at entry. At remission, QOL scores were normal in 68% and severely impa…