EFFECTS OF EXCLUSION CRITERIA IN DEPRESSION TREATMENT STUDIES

We investigated the effects of exclusion criteria in depression treatm ent studies by applying simulated exclusion criteria to a relatively u nselected sample. The criteria were borderline personality disorder, d rug/alcohol dependence, and exclusion criteria from the Treatment of D epression Collaborative Research Program and the Maintenance Therapies for Recurrent Depression Protocol. Each set of criteria substantially distorted demographic characteristics and Axis I and II comorbidity b ut did not yield higher rates of study completion or, in general, resp onse to tricyclics. Excessive exclusion criteria in depression treatme nt studies have many adverse effects and should be applied only when o verwhelmingly compelling reasons exist.