A Comparison of Past and Present Treatments of Endogenous Depression

¹ Head of Department K, State Hospital, Middelfart, Denmark

Women patients with definite endogenous depression were split up into 6 groups each of 30 patients. The age distribution was similar in the groups. Patients in the first 3 groups were treated with thymoleptics, namely nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and imipramine: the 4th group with monoamineoxidase inhibitors—(iproniazid and isocarboxide)—while patients in the 5th group were given E.C.T. The last group consists of patients treated before 1937. (They were given opium, barbiturates and bromides.)

In the first 5 groups the average duration of in-patient treatment was from 62 to 84 days. Patients treated with amitriptyline spent least time in hospital. Patients treated with E.C.T. spent no less time than those treated with antidepressives. The patients treated before 1937 had an average stay in hospital of 313 days.

Results of the treatments were fairly similar. The best results were achieved with imipramine and E.C.T.

The number of re-admissions indicates that when antidepressives are given follow-up treatment should be continued for a lengthy period and with an adequate maintenance dosage.

In 30 patients treated with E.C.T. alone only 3 showed no side-effects. E.C.T. produces side-effects no less than do the anti-depressive drugs.