Poster
28
(#28) Major Depressive Disorder Patient Voice: AI-Assisted Patient Insights from Inspire's Online Health Community Platform
Psych Congress 2025
Abstract: Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and serious mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and symptoms, significantly impairing daily functioning. This study aimed to increase understanding of clinical and patient-centered unmet needs among patients with MDD and their caregivers from INSPIRE's online health community.
Methods: Depression-related user-generated content (UGC) on Inspire.com was analyzed to assess symptom burden, treatment satisfaction, caregiver burden, and impact of MDD on comorbidities. Topic modeling and chained large language models were used for data cleaning and analysis.
Results: Analysis included 132,405 posts from 42,883 members through July 2024. Thematic review identified key themes discussed by MDD patients and caregivers. The need for comprehensive mental health support was prominent (5255 posts) with emphasis on emotional, informational, and crisis management resources. Relationship difficulties, including family, romantic, social challenges and isolation, appeared in 3918 posts. Medication and psychiatric treatment management, including issues with efficacy, side effects, and treatment-resistant depression, emerged in 3248 posts. Discussion of depressive symptoms, management strategies, and recovery narratives, including persistent low mood, loss of motivation, anhedonia, and insomnia and other sleep disturbances comprised 4325 posts. Social isolation and loneliness were expressed in 2870 posts, with many valuing community support. Neurological symptoms, and interplay between physical and mental health were discussed in 1932 posts, reflecting MDD's broad and interconnected burden.
Conclusion: Providers should adopt a holistic and patient-centered approach to address unmet needs related to clinical, emotional, social and treatment related challenges in patients with MDD.
Short Description: User-generated content among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and caregivers from an online health community platform was analyzed with the assistance of AI. Researchers identified key unmet needs, including emotional support, relationship and social challenges, treatment management, and the interplay between physical and mental health. Findings highlight the importance of holistic, patient-centered care addressing clinical, emotional, social, and treatment-related burdens for individuals with MDD.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): J&J
Methods: Depression-related user-generated content (UGC) on Inspire.com was analyzed to assess symptom burden, treatment satisfaction, caregiver burden, and impact of MDD on comorbidities. Topic modeling and chained large language models were used for data cleaning and analysis.
Results: Analysis included 132,405 posts from 42,883 members through July 2024. Thematic review identified key themes discussed by MDD patients and caregivers. The need for comprehensive mental health support was prominent (5255 posts) with emphasis on emotional, informational, and crisis management resources. Relationship difficulties, including family, romantic, social challenges and isolation, appeared in 3918 posts. Medication and psychiatric treatment management, including issues with efficacy, side effects, and treatment-resistant depression, emerged in 3248 posts. Discussion of depressive symptoms, management strategies, and recovery narratives, including persistent low mood, loss of motivation, anhedonia, and insomnia and other sleep disturbances comprised 4325 posts. Social isolation and loneliness were expressed in 2870 posts, with many valuing community support. Neurological symptoms, and interplay between physical and mental health were discussed in 1932 posts, reflecting MDD's broad and interconnected burden.
Conclusion: Providers should adopt a holistic and patient-centered approach to address unmet needs related to clinical, emotional, social and treatment related challenges in patients with MDD.
Short Description: User-generated content among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and caregivers from an online health community platform was analyzed with the assistance of AI. Researchers identified key unmet needs, including emotional support, relationship and social challenges, treatment management, and the interplay between physical and mental health. Findings highlight the importance of holistic, patient-centered care addressing clinical, emotional, social, and treatment-related burdens for individuals with MDD.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): J&J
