The Functioning and Quality of Life of Depressive Patients with 12 Weeks of Psychiatric Care
Ronnachai Kongsakon, MD, LLB, MSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Objectives : The purpose of this study was to obtain data about the functional status of depressive patients
with 12 weeks of psychiatric care and find out if there is any correlation between improvement of clinical and
functioning status.
Materials and Methods : A prospective descriptive study was conducted and quality of life instruments (SF-36)
were used to assess 96 depressive patients with 12 weeks follow up.
Results : There was prominent functional disability with depressive patients. The response rate of depressive
patients with 3-month psychiatric care was 67.7 %. The correlation between improvement in clinical status
and quality of life of this group of patients did not significantly correlate.
Conclusion : Depressive disorder is treatable with a very good response rate but no significant correlation
between clinical improvement and quality of life. There is limitations in psychological and role functioning of
depressive patients after 3 months of care. It is recommended that continuing of care should be considered for
quality of life improvement.
Keywords : Depression, Clinical status, Functional status,Psychiatric care, Quality of life
