Residual symptoms can lead to faster relapse

This study tested whether level of recovery from a major depressive episode (MDE) predicted duration of recovery in 237 patients with major depressive disorder.¹ The presence of residual symptoms was significantly associated with early episode relapse (OR: 3.68; 95% CI: 2.64–5.12 compared with asymptomatic) and was a stronger predictor of relapse than history of recurrent episodes (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.17–2.29; for >4 episodes compared with 1, 2 or 3 prior episodes) in the asymptomatic group.¹

Reference:
1.Judd LL, Akiskal HS, Maser JD, et al. Major depressive disorder: a prospective study of residual subthreshold depressive symptoms as predictor of rapid relapse. J Affect Disord 1998; 50 (2–3): 97–108.