|
|
|||||||||||
University of Liverpool, UK
Correspondence: Professor K.C. M.Wilson, EMI Academic Unit, St Catherine's Hospital, Derby Road, Birkenhead CH42 0LQ,UK. Fax: 0151 653 3441; e-mail: kw500505{at}liverpool.ac.uk
Declaration of interest The study was sponsored by Pfizer Ltd.
Background Despite a growing use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in older people, only one trial has examined their prophylactic efficacy in people aged 65 years and over.
Aims To examine the efficacy of sertraline in preventing the recurrence of depression in older people living in the community.
Method Participants were openly treated with sertraline and then randomised into a double-blind, placebo-controlled continuation/maintenance study of about 2 years duration. Drug dosage was maintained at levels that achieved remission.
Results No significant difference between the sertraline and placebo groups was found in the proportion of recurrences (7.9%; 95% CI 28.06 to 12.23). Increased age and minor residual symptoms during the continuation phase were associated with recurrence.
Conclusions Sertraline attherapeutic dosage does not provide significant protection against recurrence.
Related articles in BJP:
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
P. Gorwood, E. Weiller, O. Lemming, and C. Katona Escitalopram Prevents Relapse in Older Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, July 1, 2007; 15(7): 581 - 593. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. M. Williams, R. E. Clouse, B. D. Nix, E. H. Rubin, G. S. Sayuk, J. B. McGill, A. J. Gelenberg, P. S. Ciechanowski, I. B. Hirsch, and P. J. Lustman Efficacy of Sertraline in Prevention of Depression Recurrence in Older Versus Younger Adults With Diabetes Diabetes Care, April 1, 2007; 30(4): 801 - 806. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. I Shulman Continuing paroxetine treatment reduces recurrence of major depression in the elderly. Evid. Based Ment. Health, November 1, 2006; 9(4): 101 - 101. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. E Wills Maintenance treatment with paroxetine, but not psychotherapy, prevented recurrent major depression in older people Evid. Based Nurs., October 1, 2006; 9(4): 119 - 119. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. J. Lustman, R. E. Clouse, B. D. Nix, K. E. Freedland, E. H. Rubin, J. B. McGill, M. M. Williams, A. J. Gelenberg, P. S. Ciechanowski, and I. B. Hirsch Sertraline for Prevention of Depression Recurrence in Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry, May 1, 2006; 63(5): 521 - 529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. F. Reynolds III, M. A. Dew, B. G. Pollock, B. H. Mulsant, E. Frank, M. D. Miller, P. R. Houck, S. Mazumdar, M. A. Butters, J. A. Stack, et al. Maintenance treatment of major depression in old age. N. Engl. J. Med., March 16, 2006; 354(11): 1130 - 1138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Kasper, H. de Swart, and H. Friis Andersen Escitalopram in the Treatment of Depressed Elderly Patients Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, October 1, 2005; 13(10): 884 - 891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. E. Lotrich and B. G. Pollock Aging and Clinical Pharmacology: Implications for Antidepressants J. Clin. Pharmacol., October 1, 2005; 45(10): 1106 - 1122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. S Schneider Venlafaxine offers no benefit over sertraline and is less well tolerated in depressed nursing home residents Evid. Based Ment. Health, May 1, 2004; 7(2): 47 - 47. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Baldwin and R. Wild Management of depression in later life Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., March 1, 2004; 10(2): 131 - 139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Kumar and K. C. M. Wilson Prophylaxis of depression in older people * Author's reply The British Journal of Psychiatry, October 1, 2003; 183(4): 365 - 365. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
Read all eLetters
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Psychiatric Bulletin | Advances in Psychiatric Treatment | All RCPsych Journals |