Anhedonia in depressed patients on treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor anti-depressant--A two-centered study in Malaysia

Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2015;19(3):182-7. doi: 10.3109/13651501.2015.1031139. Epub 2015 Apr 15.

Abstract

Objective: Anhedonia is the reduced ability to experience pleasure. It is a core symptom of depression and is particularly difficult to treat. This study aims to compare the level of anhedonia between depressed patients on anti-depressants and healthy subjects.

Method: A total of 111 depressed patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and 82 healthy subjects were recruited from the outpatient psychiatric services at two major general hospitals in a cross-sectional study. Subjects were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0.0 or MINI, Beck's Depression Index (BDI), and Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS). Relevant personal and sociodemographic information were also collected.

Results: There was a significant association between educational level and SHAPS-M scores (P < 0.01) among the participants. Most items in the SHAPS scores were significantly different (P < 0.01) in the depressed subjects treated with anti-depressant compared with the healthy subjects, after adjusting the confounding factors, BDI score, and educational level.

Conclusion: Anhedonia often persists in depressed patients despite on SSRI anti-depressant treatment.

Keywords: Anhedonia; depression; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anhedonia*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Malaysia / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Risk Factors
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors