The DOI matches its Crossref record; 74 of the 74 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Estimating remission from untreated major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Few studies have examined spontaneous remission from major depression. This study investigated the proportion of prevalent cases of untreated major depression that will remit without treatment in a year, and whether remission rates vary by disorder severity. Method: Wait-list controlled trials and observational cohort studies published up to 2010 with data describing remission from untreated depression at ⩽2-year follow-up were identified. Remission was defined as rescinded diagnoses or below threshold scores on standardized symptom measures. Nineteen studies were included in a regression model predicting the probability of 12-month remission from untreated depression, using logit transformed remission proportion as the dependent variable. Covariates included age, gender, study type and diagnostic measure. Results: Wait-listed compared to primary-care samples, studies with longer follow-up duration and older adult compared to adult samples were associated with lower probability of remission. Child and adolescent samples were associated with higher probability of remission. Based on adult samples recruited from primary-care settings, the model estimated that 23% of prevalent cases of untreated depression will remit within 3 months, 32% within 6 months and 53% within 12 months. Conclusions: It is undesirable to expect 100% treatment coverage for depression, given many will remit before access to services is feasible. Data were drawn from consenting wait-list and primary-care samples, which potentially over-represented mild-to-moderate cases of depression. Considering reported rates of spontaneous remission, a short untreated period seems defensible for this subpopulation, where judged appropriate by the clinician. Conclusions may not apply to individuals with more severe depression.
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“The meta-analysis by Whiteford et al. (2013) covering the rate of spontaneous remission in untreated depression showed that this rate decreases continuously over time.”
From Empirical evidence for definitions of episode, remission, recovery, relapse and recurrence in depression: a systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as Whiteford et al. 2013
In the citing paper
“Although approximately 23 % of cases of untreated depression remit spontaneously within three months, and 32 % in six months [18]”
Citations
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Deep brain stimulation: current challenges and future directions
Lozano, A. M., Lipsman, N., Bergman, H., Brown, P., Chabardès, S., Chang, J. W., Matthews, K., McIntyre, C. C., Schlaepfer, T. E., Schulder, M., et al. (2019) · Nature Reviews Neurology · doi:10.1038/s41582-018-0128-2 · Cited by 1,475
Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis
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“In support of this, a recent review found that over 50% experience remission within a year without treatment for depression (Whiteford et al., 2012).”
BackgroundWeinberger, A. H., Gbedemah, M., Martinez, A. M., Nash, D., Galea, S., & Goodwin, R. D. (2018) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291717002781 · Cited by 716
“2011), most individuals with depression remain untreated or experience extensive delays between the onset of depression and treatment (Riolo et al. 2005; Shim et al. 2011; Whiteford et al. 2013).”
BackgroundMajor Depression as a Complex Dynamic System
Cramer, A. O. J., van Borkulo, C. D., Giltay, E. J., van der Maas, H. L. J., Kendler, K. S., Scheffer, M., & Borsboom, D. (2016) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167490 · Cited by 599
Trends in U.S. Depression Prevalence From 2015 to 2020: The Widening Treatment Gap
Goodwin, R. D., Dierker, L., Wu, M., Galea, S., Hoven, C. W., & Weinberger, A. H. (2022) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.05.014 · Cited by 610
Metadata
- Authors
- Whiteford, H. A., Harris, M. G., McKeon, G., Baxter, A., Pennell, C., Barendregt, J. J., & Wang, J.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (AU)
- University of Calgary (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Whiteford, H. A.
- Venue
- Psychological Medicine
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2012-08-10
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1569-1585
- ISSN
- 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-8978
- OpenAlex
- W2039156670
- Cited by
- 375
- References
- 72
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 57 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Queensland
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- major depressive disorder, spontaneous regression, untreated depression, remission rate, disorder severity, primary care, child and adolescent depression, treatment coverage
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Remission, Spontaneous
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