A COMPARISON OF PLACEBO RESPONDERS AND NONRESPONDERS IN SUBGROUPS OF DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

The objective of this study was to determine if the placebo treatment response varied in subgroups of depressed patients (single episode, re current, and double depression). Data from placebo-treated patients fr om seven placebo-controlled clinical trials were pooled and analyzed r etrospectively. The placebo response rate was highest for females with a single episode of depression (66.7%) and lowest for females with re current depressive episodes (13.3%). Among patients experiencing their first episode, placebo responders had lower Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) total scores at baseline and lower ratings of psych omotor retardation than nonresponders. For patients having a recurrenc e of an episode, placebo responders had lower baseline ratings of soma tic anxiety. The major finding was that patients suffering from their first depressive episode differed from patients with recurrent depress ive episodes in the rate of placebo response, effect of gender, and th e clinical symptoms that were associated with a positive placebo respo nse.