Personality traits have been associated with risk for depressive disorders. Studies with premorbid measures on personality are uncommon.

Estimate effect of premorbid personality as a predictor for remission in depressive disorders.

To study premorbid personality as a predictor for remission in depression in a population based sample.

The sample is based on the large Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Temperament traits were measured at age 31 years using the Temperament and Character Inventory. At the age of 46 years depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory – II (BDI). The sample included those with self-reported life-time depression history at age 46 years but not yet at age 31 years (n = 298). Temperament at age 31 years was used to predict remission (BDI≤13) at age 46 years using logistic regression analysis, with gender and educational level as confounders. Cohen's d was used as effect size measure.

Two hundred and one (67.4%) of individuals with self-reported depression were on remission at the follow-up. Low harm avoidance (total scale, and subscales anticipatory worry, shyness, and fatigability), low impulsiveness and high exploratory excitability (subscales of novelty seeking), and low sentimentality (subscale of reward dependence) predicted significantly remission with effect sizes between 0.28 and 0.45, highest effect being in harm avoidance.

Different temperament traits were able to predict remission status in depression. Effect sizes were between small and moderate. Temperament may associate with treatment response in depression.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Studies have been reported the similar efficacy of antidepressants (effect size around 0.3), and it is difficult for clinicians to select an antidepressant. This may partly due to the use of a p<.05 null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST) framework to evaluate “substantial evidence”. This framework only allows dichotomous conclusions and does not quantify the strength of evidence supporting efficacy. In addition, meta-analyses based on publications may offer positively biased results due to selective publications.

Demonstrate that the Bayesian framework can provide valuable information on the strength of the evidence for drug efficacy.

Re-evaluate the efficacy of FDA-approved antidepressants applied to anxiety disorders and depression by means of Bayes factors.

To avoid selective publication, data of double-blind placebo-controlled trials for FDA-approved antidepressants for the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression were extracted from the FDA. Bayes factors (BFs) were calculated and compared with the results obtained under NHST framework.

A large variance of evidence for the efficacy of antidepressants was found for both depression and anxiety disorders. Among trials providing “substantial evidence” according to the FDA for anxiety disorders, only 27 out of 59 dose groups obtained strong support for efficacy according to the typically used cut-off of BF≥20. For depression, all FDA-approved antidepressants had BF≥20, except for bupriopion. Moreover, it was shown that the tested antidepressants can be differentiated based on the strength of evidence and effect size.

The BFs quantified the comparative evidence base for the efficacy of antidepressants.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depression and anxiety were common psychiatric morbidity among breast cancer patient. This study aims to study the level of depression, anxiety, QoL and PSS among Malaysian breast cancer women over a period of 12 months and their associations at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

It is a 12-months prospective cohort study. Two hundred and twenty one female patients were included into the study. They were assessed at the time of diagnosis, 6 months and 12 month using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (QLQ–C30), Version 3.0 and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Relevant socio-clinical characteristic information was collected.

The HADS anxiety and depression subscales scores of the subjects were relatively low. The level of anxiety reduced significantly at 6 and 12 months (baseline – 6 months, P = 0.002; baseline – 12 months, P < 0.001). There were no changes in the level of depression over the study period. The global status of QoL and MSPSS scores were relatively high. There was positively correlation between the global status of QoL and MSPSS for the study subjects (Spearman's rho = 0.31–0.36). Global status of QoL and MSPSS scores were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression.

Malaysian breast cancer women had relatively better QoL with lower level of anxiety and depression. Perceived social support was important associated factor for better QoL with low level of psychological distress. It reflected the importance of enhancing and maintaining the social support system for breast cancer patients.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the second leading cause of disability in China.

To analyze functioning during the course of treating MDD in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

To study the influence of pain and clinical remission on functioning.

This was a post-hoc analysis of a 6-month, prospective, observational study (n = 909) with 422 patients enrolled from China (n = 205; 48.6%), Taiwan (n = 199; 47.2%) and Hong Kong (n = 18; 4.2%). Functioning was measured with the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), pain with the Somatic Symptom Inventory, and severity of depression with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report 16 (QIDS). Patients were classified as having no pain, persistent pain (pain at any visit) or remitted pain (pain only at baseline). A mixed model with repeated measures was fitted to analyze the relationship between pain and functioning.

At baseline, 40% of the patients had painful physical symptoms. Patients with pain had a higher QIDS and lower SDS (P < 0.05) at baseline. At 6 months, patients with persistent pain had lower functioning (P < 0.05). The regression model confirmed that clinical remission was associated with higher functioning at endpoint and that patients with persistent pain had lower functioning at endpoint when compared with the no pain group.

Patients presenting with pain symptoms had lower functioning at baseline. At 6 months, pain persistence was associated with significantly lower functioning as measured by the SDS. Clinical remission was associated with better functional outcomes. The course of pain was related to the likelihood of achieving remission.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depression is a disabling disorder with a high socio-economic impact. It might require hospitalization for symptom control and/or harm prevention. Other depressive disorders might as well require hospitalization in benefit of the patient. Hospitalization may be involuntary. Hospitalization willfulness in depressive patients has not been systematically studied in recent years.

The aim of this study is to explore the necessity of involuntary hospitalization in patients presenting depressive symptoms at the emergency service that were later diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

From all patients visited in the psychiatric emergency service from 2012 to April 2015 those that were hospitalized in the acute mental health unit and diagnosed with a depressive disorder were studied. All those monopolar depression diagnoses were considered, excluding those within the bipolar spectrum. Diagnosis followed CIE-9 criteria. A descriptive cross-sectional study of the samples was then conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill.).

From all 385 depressive disorders, 169 were involuntary admissions (43.9%), 196 were voluntary (50.9%) and 20 were scheduled (5.2%), difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Mean age, was 59.52 years for involuntary admissions, 61.7 for voluntary and 63.6 years for scheduled, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Gender differences were not significant.

Most depressive disorders were hospitalized voluntarily. However, a relevant percentage of patients required involuntary hospitalization. Younger patients presented a higher ratio of involuntary hospitalization. Reasons for involuntary hospitalization needs should be further studied.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest. Liliana Galindo is a Rio Hortega fellowship (ISC-III; CM14/00111).

A considerable amount of studies support the association of depression with nutritional factors, especially fruit and vegetables. Little evidence exists concerning mood and nutritional habits of pregnant women in Greece.

Our specific objective was to examine potential relationships between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression in pregnant women.

The overall aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional habits and the depression level of healthy pregnant women in Greece.

Eighty-eight healthy pregnant women, aged 25–44 years (mean± standard deviation: 32.41 ± 3.9), were studied with the aid of a questionnaire addressing eating habits and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Twenty-four women were found having mild to moderate depression (score 20–24, according to BDI) associated with lower consumption of salads (P < 0.05). No association was found between depression and consumption of fruit or fruit juices, or prescribed supplements (Ca, Fe, Mg, folic acid).

Interestingly, in our sample an association of depression in pregnancy was found with the consumption of salads but not fruit or fruit juices. The presence of vitamin B in vegetables is one of the factors differentiating them from fruit. So it might be a crucial element for further research.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depressive symptoms in pregnancy are risk factors for postpartum depression and associated to adverse child outcomes (Glover, 2014). Depressive symptoms decreases after participation in mindfulness and self-compassion based interventions for pregnant women (e.g. Goodman et al., 2014). However, apart from intervention trials, there are not studies on the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and depressive symptoms in pregnancy (Zoeterman, 2014).

To explore the association between mindfulness, self-compassion and depressive symptoms in pregnant women.

Four hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women (mean age: 32.56 ± 4.785 years) in their second trimester of pregnancy completed a set of self-report questionnaires validated for pregnancy: Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 ([FMQ-10]; Azevedo et al., 2015; to evaluate Nonjudging of experience/NJ, acting with awareness (AA) and observing and describing (OD), Self-Compassion Scale ([SCS]; Bento et al., 2015; to evaluate self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity [CH], isolation, mindfulness and over-identification [OD]) and Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-24 (PDSS-24; Pereira et al., 2013). Only variables significantly correlated with the outcomes were entered in the multiple regression models.

FMQ-10 and SCS Total scores were both significant predictors of PDSS-24 (B = –0.294,–0.272). Derealization and failure predictors were NJ and Isolation (B = –0.234; 0.384); Suicidal ideation predictor was NJ, OD and isolation (B = –0.152;–0.115; 0.334); concentration difficulties and anxiety predictors were isolation and CH (B = 0.296;–0.201); Sleep difficulties predictors were AA and isolation (B = –0.199; 0.248) (all P < 0.05).

Mindfulness and self-Ccompassion dimensions, particularly nonjudging of experience, acting with awareness, observing and describing are protective correlates of antenatal depressive symptoms. Isolation is a correlate of PD in pregnancy.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental diseases and they cause a major impact in our society.

The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of depressive disorders in Andalusia.

The aim is to provide useful information regarding this prevalent and disabling condition, in order to contribute to its prevention and treatment.

Our results proceed from the PISMA-ep study, undertook in Andalusia. In this cross-sectional community based study, 4507 participants between 18 and 75 years of age were interviewed by fully trained professionals. The main diagnostic tool was the Spanish version of the MINI Neuropsychiatric International Interview.

Our sample consists of 4507 participants. 50.9% of them were females. Mean age was 42.8 years. The estimated one-month prevalence of any mood disorder was 7.9% (7.1–8.6). The estimated one-month prevalence of major depression was 6, 4% (5.6–7.1). The prevalence of the other measured depressive disorders were as follows: Recurrent depressive episode: 3.7% (3.2–4.3), Melancholic depression: 3% (2.5–3.5), Severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms: 1.4% (1.1–1.8).

The PISMA-ep is the first large mental health epidemiological study ever developed in the largest region of Spain. The results obtained in this region show a higher prevalence of depressive disorders in Andalusia, when compared with prior studies that used a nationally representative sample (i.e. the ESEMeD study). The reasons for this higher prevalence are yet to be explored.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The quality of life in patients with depression may be a measure of the efficiency of its management. Although quality of life is a subjective concept, difficult to assess, it may be reflected by the degree of social adaptation and the individual's level of functioning.

The study evaluates the time evolution of depressive symptoms and of some parameters attesting the quality of life in patients diagnosed with depression who are on antidepressant treatment.

Highlighting the evolution in time of depressive symptoms and patients’ perceptions on some aspects of quality of life.

There were included 23 patients who met the criteria of depressive episode, single or within recurrent depressive disorder, according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-AM), requiring antidepressant treatment. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Sheehan disability scale (SDS), Social Adjustment Scale – Self-report (SASS).

Statistically significant decrease in mean HAMD scores was observed in the second administration. There were registered statistically significant differences of scores obtained in the two administrations for the 17 items of the SASS scale. Correlations with statistical significance between HAMD scores and some of the SDS areas were observed.

Results showed a favorable course of depressive symptoms while under treatment and differences in time of subjects’ perception on several aspects evaluated on SASS for the group studied. Correlations with statistical significance between HAMD scores and some SDS areas were observed.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depression leads to substantial suffering for the patients, their families and becomes an economic burden for system [1,2]. Patients and clinicians tend to rate the remission differently [3].

We investigate if clinicians and patients rate different the treatment response. This study assed the evolution of major depressive episode (MDE) in patients treated with Agomelatine, in Romania. It was designed as a multicentre, observational study that included 1213 adult patients evaluated in 75 sites in 2014. The design included 3 visits (baseline (V1); visit at 2/3 weeks (V2); visit 6/8 weeks (V3)). The scales used were: MADRS, SHAPS, CGI-I, CGI-S, PGI-I, PGI-S.

The MDE improvement was significant (P < 0.001) for all aspects evaluated. At baseline, more clinicians vs. patients considered the moderately or markedly ill as best descriptors of the state. The difference between the two assessments was even higher for V2 and V3. During V2 clinicians reported “minimally improvement” while patients reported “much improvement” in higher percentage. During V3, both, clinicians and patients reported a “very much improved” clinical status. Of the patients 42.60% reported at V3 “normal”, not at all ill’ in comparison to 34.81% of clinicians who reported the same (P < 0.001).

This could mean that patients are not aware of the severity of their disease. This data could be interpreted in the way that patients are more prone to rate higher the improvements as response to treatment and the clinicians to rate as response a more than 50% decrease of symptomatology.

References not available.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Response styles theory postulates that rumination is a central factor in occurrence, severity and maintaining of depression. High neuroticism has been associated with tendency to ruminate.

To evaluate the relationships between rumination, neuroticism and depression in a naturalistic prospective cohort of primary care patients with depressive disorders with life-chart methodology.

We hypothesized, that rumination would correlate with severity and duration of depression and with concurrent anxiety, gender and neuroticism.

In the Vantaa Primary Care Depression Study, a stratified random sample of 1119 adult patients was screened for depression using the Prime-MD. Depressive and comorbid psychiatric disorders were diagnosed using SCID-I/P and SCID-II. Of the 137 patients with depressive disorders, 82% completed the five-year follow-up with a graphic life chart. Neuroticism was measured with the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI-Q). Response styles were investigated at five years using the Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ-43).

Rumination correlated significantly with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (r = 0.54), Beck Depression Inventory (r = 0.61), Beck Anxiety Inventory (r = 0.50), Beck Hopelessness Scale (r = 0.51) and Neuroticism (r = 0.58). Rumination correlated also with proportion of follow-up time spent depressed (r = 0.38). In multivariate regression, high rumination was significantly predicted by current depressive symptoms and neuroticism, but not by anxiety symptoms or preceding duration of depressive episodes.

Rumination correlated with current severity of depression, but the association with preceding episode duration remained uncertain. The association between neuroticism and rumination was strong. The findings are consistent with rumination as a state-related phenomenon, which is also strongly intertwined with traits predisposing to depression.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Endocannabinoid system has been highlighted as one of the most relevant research topics by neurobiologists, pharmacists, basic scientists and clinicians. The association between endocannabinoids and its congeners and mood disorders is relatively recent. However, evidence from both clinical and preclinical studies is increasing and many researchers point out endocannabinoid system and particularly endocannabinoids and congeners as promising pharmacological targets.

The main objective of this study is to compare the plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids and congeners between a sample of patients with depression and a sample of control subjects, and the influence of variables such as age, body mass index, gender, severity of symptoms, and antidepressant medication.

Plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids and congeners will be analyzed in 69 patients with depression from primary care and 47 controls using mass spectrometry analysis.

Statistically significant differences in 2-arachidonoylglycerol and monoacylglycerols were found between both samples. Somatic symptoms of depression seems to be more related to these compounds that to cognitive-affective symptoms. In addition, differences between mildly and moderately depressed patients were found in concentrations of AEA, LEA, DGLEA and POEA. Patients with antidepressant medication showed higher levels of 2-AG, DGLEA and OEA.

The results of this study provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that in depression there is a dysregulation of the inflammatory signaling and, consequently the immune system. The results of this study could also support the realization of translational research to better understand the mechanisms of this widely distributed system.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Evidence indicates that manic symptoms, below the threshold for hypomania (mixed features), are common in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD).

To evaluate the effect of lurasidone on specific depressive and manic symptoms, based on Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) items, in patients with MDD with mixed features.

Patients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD, who presented with 2–3 protocol-specified manic symptoms, were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone monotherapy 20–60 mg/d (n = 109) or placebo (n = 100). Change from baseline in the MADRS total, MADRS-6 core depression subscale, individual MADRS items, and total and individual items of the YMRS were analyzed by MMRM, and Cohen's d effect sizes (d) were calculated for week 6 change scores.

Lurasidone improved depressive symptoms at week 6 in the MADRS total score (–20.5 vs. –13.0; P < 0.0001; d = 0.8) and MADRS-6 core depression score (–13.0 vs. –8.5; P < 0.0001; d = 0.7). Significant improvement on lurasidone was observed at week 6 on all ten MADRS items (d = 0.36–0.78). Effect sizes for the MADRS-6 core depression subscale items ranged from 0.36 to 0.78 at week 6. Treatment with lurasidone was associated with significantly greater week 6 improvement on the YMRS (–7.0 vs. –4.9; P < 0.0001). Effect sizes for the 5 YMRS items with baseline item severity ≥ 2 ranged from 0.32 to 0.48.

In this study of MDD with mixed features, lurasidone was effective in treating the range of depressive and manic symptoms that patients presented with.

Sponsored by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Self-assessment tools are frequently used as screening tools for depression. However, they are usually long and time-consuming.

To assess specificity, sensitivity and overall accuracy of a novel, very short, 5 questions tool.

The questionnaire consists of 3 phenomenological (based on main symptoms of depression) and 2 questions to assess functional impact of the symptoms. One hundred and ninety patients diagnosed clinically as having major depression (according to ICD-10 criteria and with the help of MINI tool) filled the questionnaire in twice, during episode and remission.

At least two (out of three possible) “yes” answers to phenomenological questions and both two “yes” functional answers yielded 100% specificity (no person in remission). At least one “yes” answer to phenomenological questions and both “yes” answers to functional question yielded 82.8% specificity, 83.7% sensitivity and 83,3% overall accuracy. These results varied insignificantly in subgroups with different depression severity.

A short, 5-question questionnaire may be used as a screening tool for depression. Specificity, sensitivity and overall accuracy are above 80% largely independently of depression severity.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depression is among the most common mental illnesses in Canada. Although many factors contribute to depression, stress is among the most commonly reported. Studies suggest that marginalized groups often experience high levels of stress.

To examine associations between ethnicity and depressive symptoms among university students.

To identify if ethnic groups, particularly Aboriginal students, are at greater risk of depression.

Online survey data were collected from students attending eight universities in the Canadian Maritime Provinces (n = 10,180). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 12-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Ethnicity was organized into five groups: Caucasian only, Aboriginal only, Aboriginals with other ethnicities, Mixed Ethnicity (not including Aboriginal), and Other (single ethnicity not including Aboriginal or Caucasian). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess associations between ethnicity and elevated depressive symptoms. Adjusted models accounted for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioural characteristics.

In adjusted analyses for men, Mixed (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.12–3.63) and Other ethnic students (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11–1.96) were more likely to have elevated depressive symptoms than Caucasians. There were no differences between those who were Aboriginal and those who were Caucasian. In unadjusted and adjusted analyses for women, depressive symptoms in ethnic groups (including Aboriginals) were not significantly different from Caucasians.

Among male university students in the Maritime, ethnicity (other than being Aboriginal) was associated with depressive symptoms in comparison to Caucasians, after adjusting for covariates. However, among women, ethnicity was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Wake-therapy (or “Sleep deprivation”) has the potential of providing a fast anti-depressive response as add-on treatment to pharmaceutical intervention. Agitation in a depressive state is well known and is often associated with interrupted sleep. Although hypomanic symptoms have been reported following a single nights wake, agitation has not been examined.

To examine if agitation increases among inpatients undergoing wake-therapy compared to treatment as usual (TAU).

Admitted patients suffering from a depressive episode will be randomized to either wake-therapy combined with bright light therapy in addition to TAU, including medication, or to TAU alone. Before wake-therapy, patients are assessed using PANSS-EC, aimed at measuring only agitation. The day after a single nights wake, the assessment will be repeated. Likewise, agitation will be assessed in the control group directly after randomization as well as the day after.

In this trial, 50 patients will be randomized for treatment. Results concerning agitation among patients that have undergone the trial will be presented.

Agitation as a side effect of wake-therapy has been scarcely investigated and this randomized trial will contribute to the knowledge of agitation following wake-therapy.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Cognitive dysfunction is an important aspect of depression that includes problems with thinking, concentration and memory. Research suggests that the cognitive aspect of depression is highly prevalent and has a significant impact on patient functioning. Currently, cognitive dysfunction in depression is largely unrecognised, unmonitored and untreated.

We aim to define cognitive dysfunction in clinical depression (major depressive disorder) and explore its detection and management in the UK, highlighting priority areas to be addressed.

A modified Delphi method was used as the process to gain consensus. A multi-stakeholder steering committee of depression experts (including psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians, and representatives from occupational therapy and a depression charity) provided the key themes and, through round-table discussion, developed draft statements. The main areas of focus were burden, detection and management of cognitive dysfunction in depression. These statements formed a questionnaire to be reviewed by 150–200 health-care professionals with an involvement in the management of depression, with level of agreement noted as ‘strongly disagree’, ‘disagree’, ‘don’t know/uncertain’, ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’. Responses to the questionnaire will be analysed (very high agreement [> 66%] or very low agreement [< 33%]) and the steering committee will revise and finalise the consensus statements, and identify priority areas for future consideration. The steering committee was initiated and supported by the pharmaceutical company Lundbeck Ltd, through an educational grant. Lundbeck Ltd did not influence content.

Results of the questionnaire and the evolution of the final consensus statements will be presented.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.