Does antidepressant treatment response depend on specific symptoms of depression? A multi-trial study

There is considerable heterogeneity in antidepressant treatment response across individuals. As people with depression may manifest different symptom profiles, we hypothesized that the constellation of specific depressive symptoms might explain some response. To assess this hypothesis, examined symptom-specific remission related to vs placebo among those and without a Data were from 19 randomized controlled trials (n = 7,344). Depressive assessed 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). on dichotomized into active placebo. Treatment was defined as ≥50% reduction HDRS-17 sum score during trial follow-up. Associations logistic regression models conducted separately for each symptom, adjusting age, sex, follow-up time, presence at baseline. responders non-responders analyzed separately. We also trajectories both conditions non-responders. no coherent differences between either (OR=0.75–1.28) or (OR=0.49–1.35). Likewise, there separately, which have introduced bias could affect validity our findings. observed consistent evidence antidepressants depends patient's profile.