Mulder MT, Frampton CMA, Jordan J, et al. - The 5-year outcomes of major depression after receiving treatment with medication or psychotherapy are described.

• Of 472 patients receiving treatment in three consecutive randomized controlled trials, 298 were followed up at 5 years.

• Medications were used to treat 106 of 298 patients, while the remaining 192 received psychotherapy.

• Patients undergoing evidence-based treatment frequently experience relapse of depressive symptoms in the long-term, although over half the patients appear to recover.

• Relative to medication, psychotherapy appeared superior in lowering the level of symptoms in the longer term.

• Personality continued to be one among few baseline predictors of long-term outcome.