Can a One-Item Mood Scale Do the Trick? Predicting Relapse over 5.5-Years in Recurrent Depression

BackgroundTo examine whether a simple Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) is able to predict time to relapse over 5.5-years. Methodology/Principal Findings187 remitted recurrently depressed out-patients were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and the 17-item Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAM-D) to verify remission status (HAM-D Conclusions/SignificanceSad mood after remission appears to play a pivotal role in the course of depression. Since a simple VAMS predicted time to relapse, the VAMS might be an easy and time-effective way to monitor mood and risk of early relapse, and offers possibilities for daily monitoring using e-mail and SMS. Trial RegistrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Register Identifier: ISRCTN68246470.背景 本研究旨在探究简易视觉模拟情绪量表（Visual Analogue Mood Scale, VAMS）能否预测5.5年随访期内的抑郁复发时间。 方法与主要研究结果 本研究纳入187名已缓解的复发性抑郁门诊患者，采用《DSM-IV轴I障碍结构化临床访谈量表（Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, SCID-I）》与17项汉密尔顿抑郁评定量表（Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HAM-D）对受试者进行访谈，以验证其抑郁缓解状态（原文此处HAM-D表述未完整）。 结论与研究意义 抑郁缓解后出现的悲伤情绪似乎在抑郁病程中发挥关键作用。鉴于简易VAMS可有效预测复发时间，该量表或可成为一种简便且省时高效的情绪与早期复发风险监测工具，同时为通过电子邮件与短信开展日常情绪监测提供了可行途径。 试验注册 国际标准随机对照试验注册库标识符：ISRCTN68246470。