This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Related letter  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

A Comprehensive Method for Assessing Outcome in Prospective Longitudinal Studies

Martin B. Keller, MD; Philip W. Lavori, PhD; Barbara Friedman, MA; Eileen Nielsen, MA; Jean Endicott, PhD; Pat McDonald-Scott, MA; Nancy C. Andreasen, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1987;44(6):540-548.

Abstract
• The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) is an integrated system for assessing the longitudinal course of psychiatric disorders. It consists of a semistructured interview, an instruction booklet, a coding sheet, and a set of training materials. An interviewer uses the LIFE to collect detailed psychosocial, psychopathologic, and treatment information for a six-month follow-up interval. The weekly psychopathology measures ("psychiatric status ratings") are ordinal symptom-based scales with categories defined to match the levels of symptoms used in the Research Diagnostic Criteria. The ratings provide a separate, concurrent record of the course of each disorder initially diagnosed in patients or developing during the follow-up. Any DSM-III or Research Diagnostic Criteria disorder can be rated with the LIFE, and any length or number of follow-up intervals can be accommodated. The psychosocial and treatment information is recorded so that these data can be linked temporally to the psychiatric status ratings.

Author Affiliations
From the National Institute of Mental Health-Clinical Research Branch Collaborative Program on the Psychobiology of Depression: Clinical Studies, Bethesda, Md (Drs Keller, Lavori, Endicott, and Andreasen and Mss Friedman, Nielsen, and McDonald-Scott); Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston (Drs Keller and Lavori and Mss Friedman and Nielsen); Biometrics Research Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Dr Endicott and Ms McDonald-Scott); and Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City (Dr Andreasen).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 20, 1985.

Reprint requests to Psychobiology of Depression Study, Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center, 25 Staniford St, Room 502, Boston, MA 02114 (Dr Keller).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

RELATED LETTER

Family-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder—Reply
David J. Miklowitz, David A. Axelson, Boris Birmaher, and L. Miriam Dickinson
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009;66(8):916.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Personality Change During Depression Treatment: A Placebo-Controlled Trial
Tang et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009;66:1322-1330.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Empirical typology of bipolar I mood episodes
Solomon et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2009;195:525-530.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Anxiety and Outcome in Bipolar Disorder
Coryell et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2009;166:1238-1243.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy and Brief Supportive Psychotherapy for Augmentation of Antidepressant Nonresponse in Chronic Depression: The REVAMP Trial
Kocsis et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009;66:1178-1188.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Guided Self-Care for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa and Related Disorders
Schmidt et al.
Focus 2009;7:512-521.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Family-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder--Reply
Miklowitz et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009;66:916-916.
FULL TEXT  

The Incidence and Course of Depression in Bereaved Youth 21 Months After the Loss of a Parent to Suicide, Accident, or Sudden Natural Death
Brent et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2009;166:786-794.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Four-Year Longitudinal Course of Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Spectrum Disorders: The Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth (COBY) Study
Birmaher et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2009;166:795-804.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Manic/Hypomanic Symptom Burden and Cardiovascular Mortality in Bipolar Disorder
Fiedorowicz et al.
Psychosom. Med. 2009;71:598-606.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Prevention of Depression in At-Risk Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Garber et al.
JAMA 2009;301:2215-2224.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Influence of Psychiatric Comorbidity on Recovery and Recurrence in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder: A 12-Year Prospective Study
Bruce et al.
Focus 2008;6:539-548.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Predictors of Major Depression Six Months After Admission for Outpatient Treatment
Weinberger et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 2008;59:1211-1215.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Family-Focused Treatment for Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder: Results of a 2-Year Randomized Trial
Miklowitz et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008;65:1053-1061.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Hippocampal volume and 2-year outcome in depression
Kronmuller et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2008;192:472-473.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Residual Symptom Recovery From Major Affective Episodes in Bipolar Disorders and Rapid Episode Relapse/Recurrence
Judd et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008;65:386-394.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Prospective Course of Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Findings From the STEP-BD
Schneck et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2008;165:370-377.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Diagnostic Crossover in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: Implications for DSM-V
Eddy et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2008;165:245-250.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Antidepressant medications v. cognitive therapy in people with depression with or without personality disorder
Fournier et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2008;192:124-129.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Utilization of Mental Health Treatment and Other Services by Battered Women in Shelters
Johnson and Zlotnick
Psychiatr. Serv. 2007;58:1595-1597.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The role of separation/divorce in relapse into and recovery from major depression
Cohen et al.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 2007;24:855-873.
ABSTRACT  

Recognition of Depression in Medical Patients With Heart Failure
Koenig
Psychosomatics 2007;48:338-347.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Predictors of symptomatic remission in people with schizophrenia identified
McIntyre and Soczynska
Evid. Based Ment. Health 2007;10:73-73.
FULL TEXT  

An Intensive Treatment Program of Interpersonal Psychotherapy Plus Pharmacotherapy for Depressed Inpatients: Acute and Long-Term Results
Schramm et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2007;164:768-777.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Twelve-Month Outcome of Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder Following First Hospitalization for a Manic or Mixed Episode
DelBello et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2007;164:582-590.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Guided Self-Care for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa and Related Disorders
Schmidt et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2007;164:591-598.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Schnurr et al.
JAMA 2007;297:820-830.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Severe and Recurrent Bipolar Disorders: Randomised Controlled Trial
Scott et al.
Focus 2007;5:64-72.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Randomized Trial of Integrated Group Therapy Versus Group Drug Counseling for Patients With Bipolar Disorder and Substance Dependence
Weiss et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2007;164:100-107.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Preventive Intervention for Pregnant Women on Public Assistance at Risk for Postpartum Depression
Zlotnick et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:1443-1445.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Sub-syndromal and syndromal symptoms in the longitudinal course of bipolar disorder
Paykel et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2006;189:118-123.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Collaborative Care for Bipolar Disorder: Part II. Impact on Clinical Outcome, Function, and Costs
Bauer et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 2006;57:937-945.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Descriptive and Longitudinal Observations on the Relationship of Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
Gunderson et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:1173-1178.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Suicidality in Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Prospective Study
Phillips and Menard
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:1280-1282.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Cognitive Reactivity to Sad Mood Provocation and the Prediction of Depressive Relapse.
Segal et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006;63:749-755.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Depression outcome in inpatients with congestive heart failure.
Koenig
Arch Intern Med 2006;166:991-996.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Predictors of 2-Year Outcome for Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder
Gunderson et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:822-826.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Ten-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study of the Naturalistic Course of Dysthymic Disorder and Double Depression
Klein et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:872-880.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A 12-Month Follow-Up Study of the Course of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Phillips et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:907-912.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Long-term Effectiveness and Cost of a Systematic Care Program for Bipolar Disorder.
Simon et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006;63:500-508.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for severe and recurrent bipolar disorders: Randomised controlled trial
SCOTT et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2006;188:313-320.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Clinical Course of Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
Birmaher et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006;63:175-183.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Postremission Predictors of Relapse in Women With Eating Disorders
Keel et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:2263-2268.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Is Impaired Set-Shifting an Endophenotype of Anorexia Nervosa?
Holliday et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:2269-2275.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Psychosocial Disability in the Course of Bipolar I and II Disorders: A Prospective, Comparative, Longitudinal Study
Judd et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005;62:1322-1330.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Dimensional Representations of DSM-IV Personality Disorders: Relationships to Functional Impairment
Skodol et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:1919-1925.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Subgenual Prefrontal Cortex Volumes in Major Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia: Diagnostic Specificity and Prognostic Implications
Coryell et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:1706-1712.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Postdischarge Cannabis Use and Its Relationship to Cocaine, Alcohol, and Heroin Use: A Prospective Study
Aharonovich et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:1507-1514.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Validation of the Phenomenon of Autistic Regression Using Home Videotapes
Werner and Dawson
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005;62:889-895.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Long-Term Changes in Defense Styles With Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Depressive, Anxiety, and Personality Disorders
Bond and Perry
Focus 2005;3:429-437.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Influence of Psychiatric Comorbidity on Recovery and Recurrence in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder: A 12-Year Prospective Study
Bruce et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:1179-1187.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Prevention of Relapse Following Cognitive Therapy vs Medications in Moderate to Severe Depression
Hollon et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005;62:417-422.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Course of Depression in Elderly Patients
Mueller et al.
Focus 2005;3:76-82.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A 20-Year Longitudinal Observational Study of Somatic Antidepressant Treatment Effectiveness
Leon et al.
Focus 2005;3:106-113.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Change in Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life of Patients With Body Dysmorphic Disorder Treated With Fluoxetine: A Placebo-Controlled Study
Phillips and Rasmussen
Psychosomatics 2004;45:438-444.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Long-Term Changes in Defense Styles With Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Depressive, Anxiety, and Personality Disorders
Bond and Perry
Am. J. Psychiatry 2004;161:1665-1671.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Borderline Personality Disorder Criteria Associated With Prospectively Observed Suicidal Behavior
Yen et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2004;161:1296-1298.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Family Study of Chronic Depression in a Community Sample of Young Adults
Klein et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2004;161:646-653.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Longitudinal syndromal and sub-syndromal symptoms after severe depression: 10-year follow-up study
KENNEDY et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2004;184:330-336.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Unipolar Mania Over the Course of a 20-Year Follow-Up Study
Solomon et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2003;160:2049-2051.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Long-term Course of Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder
Coryell et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2003;60:914-920.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Are Benzodiazepines Still the Medication of Choice for Patients With Panic Disorder With or Without Agoraphobia?
Bruce et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2003;160:1432-1438.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Family-Based Approach to the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in Children at Risk: Evidence of Parental and Child Change
Beardslee et al.
Pediatrics 2003;112:e119-131.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Past, Present, and Future Directions for Defining Optimal Treatment Outcome in Depression: Remission and Beyond
Keller
JAMA 2003;289:3152-3160.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A 20-Year Longitudinal Observational Study of Somatic Antidepressant Treatment Effectiveness
Leon et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2003;160:727-733.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Prospective Investigation of the Natural History of the Long-term Weekly Symptomatic Status of Bipolar II Disorder
Judd et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2003;60:261-269.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Predictors of Mortality in Eating Disorders
Keel et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2003;60:179-183.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

12-Month Outcome of Patients With Bipolar Disorder Following Hospitalization for a Manic or Mixed Episode
Keck et al.
Focus 2003;1:44-52.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Short-Term Diagnostic Stability of Schizotypal, Borderline, Avoidant, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders
Shea et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2002;159:2036-2041.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Psychosocial Outcomes Following Long-term, Double-blind Treatment of Chronic Depression With Sertraline vs Placebo
Kocsis et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:723-728.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Predictors of Early Recovery From Major Depression Among Persons Admitted to Community-Based Clinics: An Observational Study
Meyers et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:729-735.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Two-Year Prospective Follow-Up of Children With a Prepubertal and Early Adolescent Bipolar Disorder Phenotype
Geller et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2002;159:927-933.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Long-term Natural History of the Weekly Symptomatic Status of Bipolar I Disorder
Judd et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:530-537.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Personality Disorders and Time to Remission in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder
Massion et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:434-440.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of Major Depression on Remission and Relapse of Substance Dependence
Hasin et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:375-380.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Integrating Outcomes Research Into Clinical Practice
Posternak et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 2002;53:335-336.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Functional Impairment in Patients With Schizotypal, Borderline, Avoidant, or Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Skodol et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2002;159:276-283.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Outcome of Dysthymic Disorder at 5-Year Follow-Up: The Effect of Familial Psychopathology, Early Adversity, Personality, Comorbidity, and Chronic Stress
Hayden and Klein
Am. J. Psychiatry 2001;158:1864-1870.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Pregnancy Complications and Neonatal Outcomes in Women With Eating Disorders
Franko et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2001;158:1461-1466.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Dr. Klein Replies
KLEIN
Am. J. Psychiatry 2001;158:976-976.
FULL TEXT  

The Dexamethasone Suppression Test and Suicide Prediction
Coryell and Schlesser
Am. J. Psychiatry 2001;158:748-753.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Preventing Recurrent Depression Using Cognitive Therapy With and Without a Continuation Phase: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Jarrett et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:381-388.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Randomized Trial of Relapse Prevention of Depression in Primary Care
Katon et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:241-247.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Family Study of Major Depressive Disorder in a Community Sample of Adolescents
Klein et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:13-20.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Natural Course of Adolescent Major Depressive Disorder in a Community Sample: Predictors of Recurrence in Young Adults
Lewinsohn et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2000;157:1584-1591.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Does Incomplete Recovery From First Lifetime Major Depressive Episode Herald a Chronic Course of Illness?
Judd et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2000;157:1501-1504.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Five-Year Course and Outcome of Dysthymic Disorder: A Prospective, Naturalistic Follow-Up Study
Klein et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2000;157:931-939.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Factors predicting the clinical course of generalised anxiety disorder
YONKERS et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2000;176:544-549.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Psychosocial Disability During the Long-term Course of Unipolar Major Depressive Disorder
Judd et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2000;57:375-380.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Two-Year Syndromal and Functional Recovery in 219 Cases of First-Episode Major Affective Disorder With Psychotic Features
Tohen et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2000;157:220-228.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Multiple Recurrences of Major Depressive Disorder
Solomon et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2000;157:229-233.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Persistence of Depressive Symptoms and Cardiovascular Death Among Patients With Affective Disorder
Coryell et al.
Psychosom. Med. 1999;61:755-761.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Rehabilitative Treatment for Combat-Related PTSD
Mellman et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 1999;50:1363-1364.
FULL TEXT  

Recurrence After Recovery From Major Depressive Disorder During 15 Years of Observational Follow-Up
Mueller et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 1999;156:1000-1006.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Prospective Study of Fluoxetine Treatment and Suicidal Behavior in Affectively Ill Subjects
Leon et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 1999;156:195-201.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Maintenance Phase Efficacy of Sertraline for Chronic Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Keller et al.
JAMA 1998;280:1665-1672.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Relapse of Depression in Primary Care: Rate and Clinical Predictors
Lin et al.
Arch Fam Med 1998;7:443-449.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Prospective 12-Year Study of Subsyndromal and Syndromal Depressive Symptoms in Unipolar Major Depressive Disorders
Judd et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:694-700.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Lithium Discontinuation and Subsequent Effectiveness
Coryell et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 1998;155:895-898.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Is the Course of Panic Disorder the Same in Women and Men?
Yonkers et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 1998;155:596-602.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

12-Month Outcome of Patients With Bipolar Disorder Following Hospitalization for a Manic or Mixed Episode
Keck et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 1998;155:646-652.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT