TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of life as an outcome indicator in patients with seasonal affective disorder
T2 - Results from the Can-SAD study
AU - Michalak, Erin E.
AU - Murray, Greg
AU - Levitt, Anthony J.
AU - Levitan, Robert D.
AU - Enns, Murray W.
AU - Morehouse, Rachel
AU - Tam, Edwin M.
AU - Cheung, Amy
AU - Lam, Raymond W.
PY - 2007/5
Y1 - 2007/5
N2 - Background. Although a host of studies have now examined the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and non-seasonal depression, few have measured QoL in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We report here on results from the Can-SAD trial, which assessed the impact of treatment with either antidepressant medication or light therapy upon QoL in patients diagnosed with SAD. Method. This Canadian double-blind, multicentre, randomized controlled trial included 96 patients who met strict diagnostic criteria for SAD. Eligible patients were randomized to 8 weeks of treatment with either: (1) 10000 lux light treatment and a placebo capsule or (2) 100 lux light treatment (placebo light) and 20 mg fluoxetine. QoL was measured with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-20) at baseline and 8 weeks. Results. Both intervention groups showed significant improvement in QoL over time with no significant differences being detected by treatment condition. Q-LES-Q scores increased significantly in seven of eight domains, with the average scores rising from 48.0 (S.D. = 10.7) at baseline to 69.1 (S.D. = 15.6) at week 8. Treatment-related improvement in QoL was strongly associated with improvement in depression symptoms. Discussion. Patients with SAD report markedly impaired QoL during the winter months. Treatment with light therapy or antidepressant medication is associated with equivalent marked improvement in perceived QoL. Studies of treatment interventions for SAD should routinely include broader indices of patient outcome, such as the assessment of psychosocial functioning or life quality.
AB - Background. Although a host of studies have now examined the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and non-seasonal depression, few have measured QoL in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We report here on results from the Can-SAD trial, which assessed the impact of treatment with either antidepressant medication or light therapy upon QoL in patients diagnosed with SAD. Method. This Canadian double-blind, multicentre, randomized controlled trial included 96 patients who met strict diagnostic criteria for SAD. Eligible patients were randomized to 8 weeks of treatment with either: (1) 10000 lux light treatment and a placebo capsule or (2) 100 lux light treatment (placebo light) and 20 mg fluoxetine. QoL was measured with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-20) at baseline and 8 weeks. Results. Both intervention groups showed significant improvement in QoL over time with no significant differences being detected by treatment condition. Q-LES-Q scores increased significantly in seven of eight domains, with the average scores rising from 48.0 (S.D. = 10.7) at baseline to 69.1 (S.D. = 15.6) at week 8. Treatment-related improvement in QoL was strongly associated with improvement in depression symptoms. Discussion. Patients with SAD report markedly impaired QoL during the winter months. Treatment with light therapy or antidepressant medication is associated with equivalent marked improvement in perceived QoL. Studies of treatment interventions for SAD should routinely include broader indices of patient outcome, such as the assessment of psychosocial functioning or life quality.
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U2 - 10.1017/S0033291706009378
DO - 10.1017/S0033291706009378
M3 - Article
C2 - 17112403
AN - SCOPUS:34047174660
SN - 0033-2917
VL - 37
SP - 727
EP - 736
JO - Psychological Medicine
JF - Psychological Medicine
IS - 5
ER -