A comparative study of deanxit and doxepin in treatment of post-stroke depression

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical advantages and safety of deanxit treatment on post-stroke depression when comparing with doxepin. Methods One hundred and fifty-six patients with post-stroke depression, admitted to our hospital from February 2010 to February 2014, were randomly divided into deanxit group and doxepin group (n=78). Both groups were treated with conventional approaches. Furthermore, the deanxit group was given deanxit, while the doxepin group was given doxepin respectively, for 8 weeks. The clinical efficacies were evaluated before treatment, and 2, 4 and or 8 weeks after treatment by using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), US National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel index (BI). Results Depression of the deanxit group was improved in 2 weeks, with a significant decrease in HAMD scores as compared with the doxepin group (P<0.05); the depression degree was further lowered 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). The clinical efficacy between the two groups was significantly different at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment; the total effective rates in the deanxit group in 2 and 4 weeks (75.0% and 90.8%) were statistically significantly better than those in the doxepin group (57.3% and 73.3%, P<0.05). The neurological deficit scores of the deanxit group were not significantly lower than those in the doxepin group at 2 weeks after treatment, while significant difference was noted at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). The life quality of the deanxit group was significantly improved at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment as compared with those in the doxepin group (P<0.05). No significant reverse reactions were observed in the deanxit group. Conclusions As compared with the doxepin therapy, deanxit treatment of post-stroke depression has better efficacy, safety and greater promotion on neurological recovery. Furthermore, deanxit can significantly improve the life quality of the patients. Key words: Deanxit; Doxepin; Post-stroke depression; Comparative study