Factors Associated with Depression Treatment-Response in an Outpatient Psychosomatic Medicine Practice: An Exploratory Retrospective Study

Background and ObjectiveThe author explored depression management outcomes in an outpatient psychosomatic medicine (PM) practice to identify factors associated with treatment response.MethodsMedical records of 251 patients seen in the Mayo Clinic Rochester outpatient PM clinic who had Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores at the time of initial consultation and after consultation were reviewed. Comparisons of differences in pre- and post-consultation PHQ-9 scores were evaluated to identify patients with treatment response (score decreased > 50%).ResultsA total of 112 (44.6%) patients had initial PHQ-9 scores ≥ 5. Univariate comparisons revealed higher likelihood of response (25.9%) with lower average number of past antidepressant and antipsychotic trials, and reported good friend and family social support. After controlling for average number of medication trials, reported good friend support remained predictive of response (OR 3.4225, χ2 4.6743, P = 0.31); there was a trend for reported good family support to remain predictive (OR 2.7956; χ2 2.5933, P= 0.097).ConclusionThough exploratory and underpowered to adequately assess all potential contributors, retrospective examination of factors associated with depression treatment-response in this outpatient PM practice emphasizes the relevance of perception of social support as markers of prognosis and outcome.