Exploring differences in quality of life in clinical populations of depressed outpatients with and without personality disorders

Background: Although depression and personality disorders (PDs) often co-occur, less is known about the impact of PDs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with depression. This study explores the differences in HRQOL of depressed patients with and without PD. Methods: Baseline data of 397 patients with depression from two randomised controlled trials were used for this analysis. HRQOL was measured with the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Differences were examined between three groups: patients with 1) depression-only, 2) depression and comorbid PD and 3) PD and comorbid depression. The EQ-5D scores of the groups were compared with linear regression. Results: HRQOL scores were lower in the depression-only group than the depression + PD group, even though depression severity was higher in patients with PD. HRQOL in the PD +/- depression group did not differ from the other groups. In addition, no associations were found between the type or severity of PD and HRQOL. Discussion: These findings could indicate that patients with PD are less affected by the impact of depression on HRQOL. In addition, the EQ-5D might not adequately capture the impact of PD on quality of life. Further research is needed to compare the EQ-5D with quality of life instruments that include more life domains. Limitations: Two study samples are combined, and therefore not designed to compare the three groups directly. Generalisation of the results should be done with caution. Conclusion: Depressed patients with PD report higher HRQOL than depression-only patients. Although higher HRQOL, patients with PD report more severe depressions than depressed-only patients.

Automated summary

This study found that depressed patients with personality disorders report higher health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores compared to those with depression only, despite the fact that patients with personality disorders often have more severe depressive symptoms. There were no associations found between the type or severity of personality disorders and HRQOL in depressed patients.