Abstracts
3427219
(#20) Cognitive Impairment in Major Depressive Disorder: A Patient-Identified Priority for Functional Recovery
Abstract: Background: Cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder (MDD) affects an individual's ability to think, concentrate, and make decisions. Understanding patients' perspectives on cognitive impairment in MDD is critical for optimizing pharmacologic treatment.
Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 US adults who had clinician-diagnosed MDD and ≥3 months current/prior antidepressant use and with 5 clinicians treating MDD (2 primary care, 3 psychiatry). Interviews explored MDD symptoms, functional impact, and treatment priorities. Transcripts were analyzed using established qualitative methods.
Results: Of the 15 patients interviewed, 13 (86.7%) reported experiencing cognitive symptoms, such as trouble concentrating and thinking. Of the 5 clinicians interviewed, 4 (80.0%) reported that patients with MDD typically present with cognitive impairment. Patients reported the most bothersome MDD symptoms were cognitive impairment and lack of motivation (26.7% [4/15] for each). When asked which symptoms they most wanted to see improved with new treatment, one-third (33.3% [5/15]) responded with cognitive impairment. Patients described cognitive impairment as being persistent and functionally disruptive, contributing to decreased work productivity, difficulty learning new material, impaired task completion, and strained interpersonal communication. While clinicians identified fatigue and depressed mood as primary treatment targets, patients consistently highlighted the need for improvements in cognitive impairment, such as improved mental clarity and focus.
Conclusions: Patient and clinician interviews indicate that cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in MDD. However, treating this impairment was a higher priority among patients, who also indicated the need for new pharmacologic treatments that improve cognitive impairment.
Short Description: Semi-structured patient interviews were conducted to understand the impact of cognitive symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD). Of the 15 patients interviewed, 86.7% reported experiencing cognitive symptoms, 26.7% indicated these symptoms as being among the most bothersome, and 33.3% stated a need for new treatments that address cognitive symptoms. Interviews with 5 clinicians indicated greater focus on depressed mood and fatigue, highlighting a potential gap between patient- and clinician-perceived priorities for MDD treatment.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 US adults who had clinician-diagnosed MDD and ≥3 months current/prior antidepressant use and with 5 clinicians treating MDD (2 primary care, 3 psychiatry). Interviews explored MDD symptoms, functional impact, and treatment priorities. Transcripts were analyzed using established qualitative methods.
Results: Of the 15 patients interviewed, 13 (86.7%) reported experiencing cognitive symptoms, such as trouble concentrating and thinking. Of the 5 clinicians interviewed, 4 (80.0%) reported that patients with MDD typically present with cognitive impairment. Patients reported the most bothersome MDD symptoms were cognitive impairment and lack of motivation (26.7% [4/15] for each). When asked which symptoms they most wanted to see improved with new treatment, one-third (33.3% [5/15]) responded with cognitive impairment. Patients described cognitive impairment as being persistent and functionally disruptive, contributing to decreased work productivity, difficulty learning new material, impaired task completion, and strained interpersonal communication. While clinicians identified fatigue and depressed mood as primary treatment targets, patients consistently highlighted the need for improvements in cognitive impairment, such as improved mental clarity and focus.
Conclusions: Patient and clinician interviews indicate that cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in MDD. However, treating this impairment was a higher priority among patients, who also indicated the need for new pharmacologic treatments that improve cognitive impairment.
Short Description: Semi-structured patient interviews were conducted to understand the impact of cognitive symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD). Of the 15 patients interviewed, 86.7% reported experiencing cognitive symptoms, 26.7% indicated these symptoms as being among the most bothersome, and 33.3% stated a need for new treatments that address cognitive symptoms. Interviews with 5 clinicians indicated greater focus on depressed mood and fatigue, highlighting a potential gap between patient- and clinician-perceived priorities for MDD treatment.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
