Differential subtyping of depression

We studied a group of patients with depression divided into subtypes of non -chronic major depression, chronic major depression, and pure dysthymia. Th e purpose of this study was to determine if clinical and family history fac tors separated these types of depression. We reviewed records from semi-str uctured clinical interviews and abstracted data regarding factors that migh t differentiate these three depressive subtypes. In general we found what m ight be predicted from the definitions of dysthymic versus major depression , that is, ratings for severity of depression were lower for dysthymic pati ents as compared to patients with non-chronic or chronic major depression. We also found lower ratings for social functioning (GASF) for dysthymic pat ients as compared to the other depressive subtypes. Our study does not prov ide data to sufficiently separate these three subtypes. However; in the coa rse of reviewing the literature on this topic, very few studies have separa ted patients into these distinct depressive subtypes. Further studies are n eeded to indicate if these subtypes can be meaningfully separated. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.