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The functioning and well-being of depressed patients. Results from the Medical Outcomes Study
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1989
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Quality Of LifePoor FunctioningDepressed PatientsMental HealthPsychologySocial SciencesRole FunctioningChronic Disease ManagementUs SitesMood SymptomSocial HealthPsychological Well-beingPsychiatryHealth PolicyEmotional Well-beingDepressionPsychiatric DisorderMedical Outcomes StudyLife SatisfactionChronic DiseaseAdult Mental HealthMood DisordersMedicinePsychopathologyComorbidity
The study describes the functioning and well‑being of patients with depression compared to those with chronic medical conditions or none. Data come from 11,242 outpatients across three health care systems in three U.S. sites. Patients with current depressive disorder or depressive symptoms, with or without disorder, had worse physical, social, and role functioning, poorer perceived health, and greater bodily pain than patients without chronic conditions, and the unique impact of depressive symptoms was comparable to or exceeded that of eight major chronic medical conditions, with additive effects of depression and chronic illness on functioning.
We describe the functioning and well-being of patients with depression, relative to patients with chronic medical conditions or no chronic conditions. Data are from 11 242 outpatients in three health care provision systems in three US sites. Patients with either current depressive disorder or depressive symptoms in the absence of disorder tended to have worse physical, social, and role functioning, worse perceived current health, and greater bodily pain than did patients with no chronic conditions. The poor functioning uniquely associated with depressive symptoms, with or without depressive disorder, was comparable with or worse than that uniquely associated with eight major chronic medical conditions. For example, the unique association of days in bed with depressive symptoms was significantly greater than the comparable association with hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. Depression and chronic medical conditions had unique and additive effects on patient functioning. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1989;262:914-919)