Clinical and epidemiological study of patients hospitalized for major depressive episode

We conducted prospective study in hospitalized patients in order to evaluat e the prevalence and the clinical characteristics of patients resistant to antidepressant treatment. 151 patients, fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for m ajor depressive episode, were included in the study; sex ratio was two wome n for one man and mean age was 44 years. 34% had no previous major depressi ve episode, 58% had melancholic features and 34% had attempted suicide. Com orbidity was high: 57%, 51% and 54% had another current diagnoses on axis I , II and III respectively. 30% were not previously treated with antidepress ant. 27% were considered as resistant to antidepressant treatment: these pa tients were more frequently female, had a higher education level and a more severe disease with longer duration of depressive episodes, more frequent psychiatric care, high frequency of melancholic features, fewer psychosocia l stress and increased TSH compared with non-resistant patients.