U.S. Medical
This site is intended for U.S. Healthcare Professionals.
To report an adverse event or product quality complaint, call 1-877-TAKEDA-7 (1-877-825-3327)
This site is intended for U.S. Healthcare Professionals.
To report an adverse event or product quality complaint, call 1-877-TAKEDA-7 (1-877-825-3327)
Not an actual patient.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, heterogeneous disorder that causes changes in an individual’s mood, thoughts, and behavior.3
It is estimated that 5% of the world’s population is living with depression.2 According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 8.4% of all U.S. adults (approximately 21 million people) had at least one major depressive episode in 2020.1 These episodes occurred at a higher rate among adult females (10.5%) compared to adult males (6.2%). The most affected age group was individuals aged 18-25, with 17.0% experiencing at least one episode, as compared to 9.1% of those aged 26-49, and 5.4% of those over age 50. Multiracial individuals (those who reported having two or more races) had the highest prevalence of major depressive disorder (15.9%), followed by individuals who reported being White (9.5%), Hispanic/Latino (7.0%), Black/African American (6.0%), Asian (4.2%), and Native American or Alaska Native (4.2%).
The risk for MDD is estimated to be 2- to 4-fold higher among first-degree family members of individuals with MDD, compared to the general population.3 Though MDD may first appear at any age, the incidence of first episodes increases significantly with puberty. The incidence of MDD in the U.S. appears to peak for individuals in their 20s, though it is not uncommon for individuals to experience a first major depressive episode later in life.
In order to meet diagnostic criteria for MDD, an individual has to have at least 5 symptoms, including at least 1 of the 2 core symptoms, during the same 2-week period and they must represent a change from previous functioning.3 The core symptoms, which must be present for most of the day, nearly every day, are depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure. The other diagnostic symptoms, which must be present nearly every day, are:
Note: Nearly every day does not apply to weight change or thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of a depressive episode (≥2 weeks) must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.3 The episode should not be attributable to the effects of a substance or another medical condition, and cannot be better explained by other psychotic, delusional, or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Additionally, the diagnosis of MDD requires that the patient has never had a manic or a hypomanic episode.
While in recent years considerable advances have been made to understand the genetic risk factors associated with depression, its fundamental etiology remains poorly understood. Known risk factors are female sex, childhood history of abuse, family history and recent life stressors; however, we have yet to determine exactly how genetics influence environmental risk factors and vice versa.4 The genetic component to depression is thought to contribute 30-40% of variance, while non-genetic / environmental factors are thought to have an influence of 60-70%.5
Numerous hypotheses have implicated different physiologic systems in depression, based on observed variations in function, including:6
Research continues regarding these factors in relation to the pathogenesis of MDD.
Timely diagnosis and management of MDD is important to improve the heavy personal, societal, and economic burden of MDD. In 2018, the incremental economic burden of adults with MDD in the U.S., including costs related to suicide and workplace costs, was $326.2 billion.7
MDD also increases the risk for other diseases:
A variety of validated tools are available for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of MDD.12,13 Measurement based care (MBC) facilitates symptom monitoring, can improve collaborative care efforts as well as treatment response, and can increase satisfaction with care.14
After a patient is diagnosed with MDD, the goal of treatment during the acute phase of illness is to achieve symptom remission and improve the patient's functioning.12 During the continuation phase of treatment, patients’ symptoms (including signs of relapse), side effects, adherence, and functional status should be monitored. Maintenance treatment is also recommended, particularly for patients with residual symptoms, previous episodes, and ongoing psychosocial stressors. Treatments for depression may include pharmacotherapy; depression-focused psychotherapy; the combination of medications and psychotherapy; other somatic therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or light therapy; or complementary or alternative therapies.12 Pharmacological treatment may not be appropriate for all patients with MDD.
Annual meeting attracting the largest audience of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals offering opportunities to learn the latest in effective clinical practice, policy and research advancements.
Leading global conference discussing how to establish, incentivize, and share value sustainable for health systems, patients, and technology developers.
Global annual congress offering a platform for learning about the latest research advances and new treatments in neuropharmacology, psychiatry, and neuroscience.
Annual meeting bringing perspectives together from academia, NIH, FDA, clinicians and industry on key aspects of neuropsychiatric drug development, pharmacogenetics and personalized interventions.
Annual meeting bringing together healthcare professionals, scientists, advocates, industry representatives, and others who are working toward better outcomes for people with epilepsy.
Europe's premier meeting in applied and translational neuroscience discussing the latest developments in research, technologies and treatment of brain disorders.
Annual mental health conference bringing together psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and other mental health professionals offering practical knowledge to improve patient care.
Meeting with a diverse group of stakeholders at the intersection of health care and policy to share important findings and latest research on how the health system works, what it costs, and how to improve it.
A national conference offering exclusive continuing education, legislative policy updates, hands-on workshops, lively exhibitors, and networking opportunities for the nurse practitioner community.
Annual meeting bringing perspectives together from academia, NIH, FDA, clinicians and industry on key aspects of neuropsychiatric drug development, pharmacogenetics and personalized interventions.
Annual congress offering scientific programs ranging from basic clinical sciences, psychiatric epidemiology, pharmacological and psychotherapies, to new digital technologies and understandings from related sciences such as anthropology, psychology and sociology.
Annual meeting attracting the largest audience of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals offering opportunities to learn the latest in effective clinical practice, policy and research advancements.
Global annual congress offering a platform for learning about the latest research advances and new treatments in neuropharmacology, psychiatry, and neuroscience.
Annual meeting in neurology promoting high quality patient-centric care in a variety of topics and specialties through various learning formats.
Annual congress to learn about new clinical tools, expand research frontiers, and explore innovative ideas for mental health care and prevention with a community of global professionals and stakeholders in psychiatry.
Medication Resources
(vortioxetine)