THE RESULTS OF 2 MULTICENTER TREATMENT ST UDIES IN DIFFERENT SUBGROUPS OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER PATIENTS - CONCLUSIONS AND PROSPECTS

Aspects of scientific and applied clinical utility are derived from th e results of two multicenter studies on comparitive effectiveness of b ehavioural-cognitive and antidepressant treatment in endogenous and no n-endogenous patients. Most findings were in accordance with and speci fied results of other anglo-american outcome comparisons. Additive eff ects of behavioural-cognitive treatment in inpatients were limited and equal effectiveness results were typical for ail in- and outpatients at post-treatment. There were long-term advantages for patients treate d with behavioural-cognitive therapy, particularly for endogenously de pressed outpatients with additional pathology, e.g. higher anxiety. Hi nts for future research were discussed persuing the long-term effectiv eness issue, setting differences between endogenous and non-endogenous patients and the possible mechanisms mediating early treatment respon ses. Regarding clinical utility the discussion focussed on differentia l indications, improvements of treatment, standards of evaluation and methods, as well as prerequisits for the implementation of behavioural -cognitive treatment in clinical institutions.