The cumulative load of depressive illness is associated with cognitive function in the remitted state of unipolar depressive disorder
Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether the cumulative number, duration and subtypes (severity and presence of psychotic features) of previous episodes of depression in patients with unipolar depressive disorder in a remitted state are associated with decreased global cognitive function. Methods: Via the Danish registers individuals between 40 and 80 years of age were identified: (1) patients with a diagnosis of unipolar disorder at their first discharge from a psychiatric hospital in the period 1994 to 2002, and (2) gender and age matched control individuals. The participants were assessed with the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), which provides a composite measure of global cognitive function. Results: A total of 88 patients and 50 controls accepted our invitation to participate, fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the study. The cumulative duration of depressive episodes was associated with a decreased CAMCOG score adjusted for age, gender, education, premorbid IQ and residual depressive symptoms (B = −0.14, 95% C.I. (−0.26, −0.02), R 2adj = 0.31, P = .02). Significant associations were also found between CAMCOG score and the cumulative duration and total number of depressive episodes with psychotic features, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cognitive dysfunction is associated with the cumulative duration of depressive episodes, and that, in particular, depressive episodes with psychotic features in the course of illness may be a significant predictor of future impairment of cognitive function.
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The severity of cognitive impairment increases as a function of the cumulative duration of major depressive episodes.
“In a subsequent study of individuals with unipolar depressive disorder in remission, Hasselbalch et al. [38] reported that the severity of cognitive impairment increases as a function of the cumulative duration of MDEs and, additionally, indicated that the occurrence of psychotic features is associated with worse cognitive performance.”
From Cognitive remission: a novel objective for the treatment of major depression? (2016) · cites this paper as [38]
The occurrence of psychotic features is associated with worse cognitive performance in individuals with unipolar depressive disorder in remission.
“In a subsequent study of individuals with unipolar depressive disorder in remission, Hasselbalch et al. [38] reported that the severity of cognitive impairment increases as a function of the cumulative duration of MDEs and, additionally, indicated that the occurrence of psychotic features is associated with worse cognitive performance.”
From Cognitive remission: a novel objective for the treatment of major depression? (2016) · cites this paper as [38]
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- Authors
- Hasselbalch, B. J., Knorr, U., Hasselbalch, S. G., Gade, A., & Kessing, L. V.
- Affiliations
- Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Hasselbalch, B.J.
- Venue
- European Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2013-08
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 349-355
- ISSN
- 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
- 1778-3585
- OpenAlex
- W2000002633
- Cited by
- 70
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 4.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Lundbeckfonden (R17-2007-1798)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- major depressive disorder, cognitive function, remitted depression, psychotic features, episode duration, cognitive impairment, CAMCOG
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Registries, Severity of Illness Index
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