Network structure of time-varying depressive symptoms through dynamic time warp analysis in late-life depression

  • Denise C. R. van Zelst
  • , Eveline M. Veltman
  • , Didi Rhebergen
  • , Paul Naarding
  • , Almar A. L. Kok
  • , Nathaly Rius Ottenheim
  • , Erik J. Giltay

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: Late-life major depressive disorder (MDD) can be conceptualized as a complex dynamic system. However, it is not straightforward how to analyze the covarying depressive symptoms over time in case of sparse panel data. Dynamic time warping (DTW) analysis may yield symptom networks and dimensions both at the patient and group level. Methods: In the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older People (NESDO) depressive symptoms were assessed every 6 months using the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) with up to 13 assessments per participant. Our sample consisted of 182 persons, aged ≥ 60 years, with an IDS total score of 26 or higher at baseline. Symptom networks dimensions, and centrality metrics were analyzed using DTW and Distatis analyses. Results: The mean age was 69.8 years (SD 7.1), with 69.0% females, and a mean IDS score of 38.0 (SD = 8.7). DTW enabled visualization of an idiographic symptom network in a single NESDO participant. In the group-level nomothetic approach, four depressive symptom dimensions were identified: “core symptoms”, “lethargy/somatic”, “sleep”, and “appetite/atypical”. Items of the “internalizing symptoms” dimension had the highest centrality, whose symptom changes over time were most similar to those changes of other symptoms. Conclusions: DTW revealed symptom networks and dimensions based on the within-person symptom changes in older MDD patients. Its centrality metrics signal the most influential symptoms, which may aid personalized care.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume37
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2022
Externally publishedYes

Funding

The infrastructure for the NESDO study ( https://nesdo.onderzoek.io/ ) is funded through the Fonds NutsOhra [project0701‐065]; Stichting tot Steun VCVGZ, NARSAD The Brain and Behaviour Research Fund [grant ID 41080]; and the participating universities and mental health care organizations (VU University Medical Centre, Leiden University Medical Centre, University Medical Centre Groningen, UMC St Radboud, GGZ inGeest, GGNet, GGZ Nijmegen, GGZ Rivierduinen, Lentis, and Parnassia). This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not‐for‐profit sectors. The infrastructure for the NESDO study (https://nesdo.onderzoek.io/) is funded through the Fonds NutsOhra [project0701-065]; Stichting tot Steun VCVGZ, NARSAD The Brain and Behaviour Research Fund [grant ID 41080]; and the participating universities and mental health care organizations (VU University Medical Centre, Leiden University Medical Centre, University Medical Centre Groningen, UMC St Radboud, GGZ inGeest, GGNet, GGZ Nijmegen, GGZ Rivierduinen, Lentis, and Parnassia). This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

FundersFunder number
UMC St Radboud
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and DepressionID 41080
Fonds NutsOhraproject0701-065
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
Stichting tot Steun Vereniging tot Christelijke Verzorging van Geestes- en Zenuwzieken

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