Early-stage clinical characteristics and HPA axis alterations in first-episode and untreated the major de-pressive disorder patients with suicide / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare early-stage clinical features and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis neuroendocrine function in first-episode and untreated major depressive disorders with suicide and without suicide. Methods Untreated patients who had a diagnosis as major depression according to ICD-10 were allocated to suicide with major depressive disorder group or non-suicide with major depressive disorder group according to whether the pa?tients had suicidal ideation or behaviours. Patients were assessed before treatment using the 17-item Hamilton Depres?sion Scale (HAMD-17), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) and the suicide assessment scale. The cortisol (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in serum were measured using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results There was no significant difference in demographic data be?tween the two groups (P>0.05). In early-stage clinical features, there were significant differences in changes of sexual ac? tivity and feeling of despair (P0.05). There were no significant differences in CORT or ACTH levels between two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant correlation of suicidal scores with early-stage clinical features, symptom scales scores, CORT or ACTH levels (P>0.05). Conclusion De?creased sexual desire and feeling of despair are more severe in depressed patients with suicide than those without. There is no correlation of early-stage clinical features or HPA axis functions with suicide in patients with depression.