Development and validation of a clinical prediction tool to estimate the individual risk of depressive relapse or recurrence in individuals with recurrent depression

Nicola S. Klein, Gea A. Holtman, Claudi L. H. Bockting, Martijn W. Heymans, Huibert Burger

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Many studies examined predictors of depressive relapse/recurrence but no simple tool based on well-established risk factors is available that estimates the risk within an individual. We developed and validated such a prediction tool in remitted recurrently depressed individuals.

METHODS: The tool was developed using data (n = 235) from a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in remitted recurrently depressed participants and externally validated using data (n = 209) from a similar randomised controlled trial of remitted recurrently depressed participants using maintenance antidepressants. Cox regression was used with time to relapse/recurrence within 2 years as outcome and well-established risk factors as predictors. Performance measures and absolute risk scores were calculated, a practically applicable risk score was created, and the tool was externally validated.

RESULTS: The 2-year cumulative proportion relapse/recurrence was 46.2% in the validation dataset. The tool included number of previous depressive episodes, residual depressive symptoms, severity of the last depressive episode, and treatment. The C-statistic and calibration slope were 0.56 and 0.81 respectively. The tool stratified participants into relapse/recurrence risk classes of 37%, 55%, and 72%. The C-statistic and calibration slope in the external validation were 0.59 and 0.56 respectively, and Kaplan Meier curves showed that the tool could differentiate between risk classes.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that developed a simple prediction tool based on well-established risk factors of depressive relapse/recurrence, estimating the individual risk. Since the overall performance of the model was poor, more studies are needed to enhance the performance before recommending implementation into clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research
Volume104
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept-2018

Keywords

  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • CHILDHOOD LIFE EVENTS
  • MENTAL-HEALTH SURVEY
  • MAJOR DEPRESSION
  • PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS
  • GENERAL-POPULATION
  • ANXIETY DISORDERS
  • TRAUMA
  • ONSET
  • MALTREATMENT

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