Escitalopram Group Research Articles

A comparative study of the clinical efficiency of escitalopram and paroxetine in treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Objective To investigate the difference of clinical efficiency and safety in obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) treatment with escitalopram or paroxetine. Methods A total of 156 OCD patients were randomly divided into escitalopram group(ESC group) and paroxetine group(PAR group). Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y- BOCS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS)were used to evaluate the clinical efficiency and safety before and after1, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks treatment. Results The cure rate(21.79% vs 17.95%) and effective rate(70.51% vs 71.79%)had no statistically difference between ESC group and PAR group, and incidence of side effect had no significant difference between two groups(χ2=1.99, P>0.05). Compared with the group before treatment, HAMD scores were significantly decreased from the first weekend in ESC group, but in PAR group HAMD scores did not decrease until the second weekend, and the differences were also significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Escitalopram is a safety, effective and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Key words: Escitalopram; Paroxetine; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Clinical efficiency; Safety

Combining a dopamine agonist and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of depression: A double-blind, randomized pilot study

BackgroundAntidepressants that act on two or more amine neurotransmitters may confer higher remission rates when first-line agents affecting a single neurotransmitter have failed. Pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, has antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This pilot study examined the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with pramipexole and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram in MDD. MethodsIn this double-blind, controlled, pilot study, 39 patients with DSM-IV MDD who had failed to respond to a standard antidepressant treatment trial were randomized to receive pramipexole (n=13), escitalopram (n=13), or their combination (n=13) for six weeks. Pramipexole was started at 0.375mg/day and titrated weekly up to 2.25mg/day; escitalopram dosage remained at 10mg/day. The primary outcome measure was the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). ResultsSubjects receiving pramipexole monotherapy had significantly lower MADRS scores than the combination group (p=0.01); no other primary drug comparisons were significant. The combination group had a substantially higher dropout rate than the escitalopram and pramipexole groups (69%, 15%, 15%, respectively). Only 15% of patients in the combination group tolerated regularly scheduled increases of pramipexole throughout the study, compared with 46% of patients in the pramipexole group. LimitationsGroup size was small and the treatment phase lasted for only six weeks. ConclusionsThe combination of an SSRI and a dopamine agonist was not more effective than either agent alone, nor did it produce a more rapid onset of antidepressant action. Combination therapy with escitalopram and pramipexole may not be well-tolerated.

Prevention of Poststroke Apathy Using Escitalopram or Problem-Solving Therapy

Apathy occurs frequently following stroke and prior studies have demonstrated the negative effect of apathy on recovery from stroke. This study was a secondary analysis examining the efficacy of escitalopram, problem-solving therapy (PST), or placebo administered for 1 year to prevent the onset of apathy among patients with recent stroke. Patients within 3 months of an index stroke who did not meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major or minor depression and who did not have a serious comorbid physical illness were enrolled. Patients were recruited from three sites: University of Iowa, University of Chicago, and Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. One hundred fifty-four patients without evidence of apathy at initial evaluation were included in the randomized controlled trial using escitalopram (10 mg patients ≤65 years; 5 mg patients >65 years) (N = 51) or placebo (N = 47) or non-blinded PST (12 total sessions) (N = 56) over 1 year. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, patients were assessed for diagnosis and severity of apathy using the Apathy Scale. Using a Cox proportional hazards model of time to onset of apathy, participants given placebo were 3.47 times more likely to develop apathy than patients given escitalopram and 1.84 times more likely to develop apathy than patients given PST after controlling for age, sex, cognitive impairment, and diabetes mellitus status (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.79-6.73 [escitalopram group]; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.21-2.80 [PST group]). Escitalopram or PST was significantly more effective in preventing new onset of apathy following stroke compared with placebo.

Adjunctive aripiprazole therapy with escitalopram in patients with co-morbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence: Clinical and neuroimaging evidence

The effective treatment of depression has been reported to reduce the severity of alcohol use, potentially reflecting improvements in common brain reward circuits. We hypothesized that augmentation therapy of escitalopram with aripiprazole would improve depressive symptoms as well as reduce craving for alcohol and cue-induced brain activity in patients with co-morbid alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder, compared with treatment with escitalopram alone. Thirty-five subjects with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence were recruited and randomly assigned into 17 aripiprazole + escitalopram and 18 escitalopram only groups. At baseline and following six weeks of treatment, symptoms of depression, craving for alcohol and brain activity were evaluated. During the six week treatment period, Beck Depression Inventory and clinical global index-severity (CGI-S) scores decreased in both the aripiprazole + escitalopram and escitalopram only groups. In addition, following the treatment period, the Korean alcohol urge questionnaire scores in the aripiprazole + escitalopram group were reduced from 23.3±8.4 to 14.3±4.9, compared with those of the escitalopram group of from 21.6±8.4 to 19.3±7.1 (F=13.1, p<0.01). The activity within the anterior cingulate was increased in response to the presentation of alcohol drinking scenes following treatment in the aripiprazole + escitalopram group. The change of brain activity within the left anterior cingulate gyrus in all patients with co-morbid alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder was negatively correlated with the change in craving for alcohol. These findings suggest that the effects of aripiprazole on anterior cingulate cortex might mediate the successful treatment of alcohol dependence in patients with major depressive disorder.

Relationship between SSRIs and Metabolic Syndrome Abnormalities in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Prospective Study

ObjectiveSSRIs are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the world. In addition to their effectiveness, SSRIs were reported to be associated with the side effects of weight gain, sexual dysfunction, drug interactions, extrapyramidal symptoms and discontinuation symptoms. However, the effects of SSRIs on metabolic parameters are poorly understood.MethodsThis study aims to describe the effects of SSRIs on the metabolic parameters of drug-naive first episode patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Ninety-seven female patients aged 20-41 years without any metabolic or psychiatric comorbidity were included in the study. Fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram and escitalopram were randomly given to the patients. Metabolic parameters, including BMI, waist circumference and the levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and blood pressure, were measured before and after 16 weeks of treatment.ResultsIn the paroxetine group, there was a significant increase in the parameters of weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride after 16 weeks of treatment. There were significant increases in the levels of triglyceride in the citalopram and escitalopram groups. In the sertraline group, the total cholesterol level increased after treatment. In the fluoxetine group, there were significant reductions in the parameters of weight, total cholesterol and triglyceride.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this study is the first to prospectively describe metabolic syndrome abnormalities in patients with first episode generalized anxiety disorder. Although the effectiveness of the different SSRIs is similar, clinicians should be more careful when prescribing SSRIs to patients who have cardiac risk factors. Larger and lengthier controlled clinical trials are needed to explore the associations between SSRI use and metabolic syndrome.

Cardiovascular Safety of One-Year Escitalopram Therapy in Clinically Nondepressed Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used for treatment of depression in patients with cardiac diseases. However, evidence of cardiovascular (CV) safety from randomized trials is based on studies of no longer than 6-month duration. We examined the CV safety of 1-year treatment with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram compared with placebo in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The DECARD (DEpression in patients with Coronary ARtery Disease) trial assessed the prophylactic effect of escitalopram on depression after ACS. Two hundred forty patients were randomized to escitalopram 10-mg daily or matching placebo for 1 year. Serial measures of CV safety including clinical and biochemical parameters, 24-hour electrocardiogram monitor, resting electrocardiogram, and echocardiographic assessment were obtained. Escitalopram and placebo groups were comparable at baseline with regard to age, gender, sociodemography, depression score, risk factor profile, severity of heart disease, and medications. Dropout rates defined as withdrawal for any reason or lost to follow-up during the 12-month study period was 27.2% in the escitalopram group and 23.4% in the placebo group (NS). There were no statistically significant differences between intervention groups in any of CV safety measures including the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and episodes of ST-segment depression, length of QTc, and systolic and diastolic echocardiographic measures at the 12-month follow-up between groups. After 12 months, 16 and 13 major adverse events (death, recurrent ACS, or acute revascularization) were recorded in the escitalopram and placebo group, respectively (NS). One-year escitalopram treatment was safe and well tolerated in patients with recent ACS.

Adherence to escitalopram treatment in depression

Poor adherence to depression treatment is common. Understanding determinants of poor adherence to therapy is crucial to ensure optimal clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of dosing history in participants with depression receiving once daily escitalopram. Participants were randomly assigned to interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) or pharmacotherapy. Participants assigned to IPT who did not evidence a response or remission had escitalopram added to their treatment. Adherence to pharmacotherapy was assessed using an electronically monitored pill cap (MEMS). Fifty-four participants on escitalopram alone and 32 on escitalopram+IPT were monitored. After 200 days, 71.7% of the participants in the escitalopram group and 54.8% of those in the escitalopram+IPT group were still engaged with the dosing regimen. Of those engaged in the dosing regimen, 17.9% (average over 210 days) of the participants did not take their medication (nonexecution). In 69% of the days participants took the correct dosage required. On average, participants had three drug holidays and the mean length of a holiday was 7 days per patient. No difference in adherence patterns was observed between patients receiving escitalopram alone vs. IPT+escitalopram. Early discontinuation of treatment and suboptimal daily execution of the prescribed regimen are the most common facets of poor adherence in this study population.

Effect of escitalopram on insomnia symptoms and subjective sleep quality in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of escitalopram on insomnia symptoms and subjective sleep quality in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes.A randomized, blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled parallel-group 8-week trial with 205 women (95 African American, 102 white, 8 other) was conducted between July 2009 and June 2010. The participants received escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) or placebo. Insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]) and subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) at weeks 4 and 8 were the prespecified secondary outcomes. A total of 199 women (97%) provided ISI data, and 194 (95%) women provided PSQI data at follow-up.At baseline, mean hot flash frequency was 9.78 per day (SD, 5.60), mean ISI was 11.4 (SD, 6.3), and mean PSQI was 8.0 (SD, 3.7). Treatment with escitalopram reduced ISI at week 8 (mean difference, -2.00; 95% CI, -3.43 to -0.57; P < 0.001 overall treatment effect), with mean differences of -4.73 (95% CI, -5.72 to -3.75) in the escitalopram group and -2.73 (95% CI, -3.78 to -1.69) in the placebo group. The reduction in PSQI was greater in the escitalopram than in the placebo group at week 8 (mean difference, -1.31; 95% CI, -2.14 to -0.49; P < 0.001 overall treatment effect). Clinical improvement in insomnia symptoms and subjective sleep quality (≥50% decreases in ISI and PSQI from baseline) was observed more frequently in the escitalopram group than in the placebo group (ISI, 50.0% vs 35.4%, P = 0.04; PSQI, 29.6% vs 19.2%, P = 0.09).Among healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes, escitalopram at 10 to 20 mg/day compared with placebo reduced insomnia symptoms and improved subjective sleep quality at 8 weeks of follow-up.

Escitalopram for the Prevention of Peginterferon-α2a–Associated Depression in Hepatitis C Virus–Infected Patients Without Previous Psychiatric Disease

Depression is a major complication during treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with interferon-α (IFN-α). It is unclear whether antidepressants can prevent IFN-induced depression in patients without psychiatric risk factors. To examine whether preemptive antidepressant treatment with escitalopram can decrease the incidence or severity of depression associated with pegylated IFN-α in HCV-infected patients without a history of psychiatric disorders. Randomized, multicenter, double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00136318) 10 university and 11 academic hospitals in Germany. 181 HCV-infected patients with no history of psychiatric disorders enrolled between August 2004 and December 2008. Escitalopram, 10 mg/d (n = 90), or placebo (n = 91) administered 2 weeks before and for 24 to 48 weeks during antiviral therapy. The primary end point was the incidence of depression, defined as a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of 13 or higher. Secondary end points were time to depression, incidence of major depression according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, quality of life, sustained virologic response, tolerability, and safety. 32% (95% CI, 21% to 43%) of the patients in the escitalopram group developed a MADRS score of 13 or higher compared with 59% (CI, 48% to 69%) in the placebo group (absolute difference, 27 percentage points [CI, 12 to 42 percentage points]; P < 0.001). Major depression was diagnosed in 8% of the patients in the escitalopram group and 19% in the placebo group (absolute risk difference, 11 percentage points [CI, 5 to 15 percentage points]; P = 0.031). Tolerability and safety parameters did not differ between the groups. In the escitalopram group, 56% (CI, 46% to 66%) of patients achieved a sustained virologic response compared with 46% (CI, 37% to 57%) in the placebo group (P = 0.21). Results might not be generalizable to patients with previous psychiatric disease. Some patients withdrew or developed temporary elevated MADRS scores after randomization but before the study medication was started. Prophylactic antidepressant treatment with escitalopram was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of IFN-associated depression in HCV-infected patients without previous psychiatric disease. Roche Pharma and Lundbeck.

The effect of escitalopram versus placebo on perceived stress and salivary cortisol in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with depression—A randomised trial

The effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) on healthy individuals remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that escitalopram decreases perceived stress and salivary cortisol. The trial has a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design. After informed consent 80 healthy first-degree relatives to patients with depression were randomly allocated to receive daily tablets of escitalopram 10mg or placebo for 4 weeks. The area under the curve (AUC) for awakening and all day salivary cortisol was analysed in samples taken immediately after awakening and at 15-min intervals for the next hour, and at 12:00, 18:00 and 23:00. The salivary cortisol awakening response, all day salivary cortisol, and scale scores on sleep, pain, aggression, quality of life, and perceived stress assessed at entry were compared to values following 4 weeks of intervention. Statistically significant decreases were found in awakening salivary cortisol (P=0.04) and in all day salivary cortisol (P=0.02) in the escitalopram group compared with the placebo group. There were no statistically significant differences in perceived stress between the intervention groups. These findings from a randomised clinical trial suggest that a long-term escitalopram administration to healthy participants results in a decrease in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) activity measured by salivary cortisol compared with inert placebo. However, change in salivary cortisol was one out of multiple outcome measures. The results of the present trial do not refute salivary cortisol as a potential endophenotype for depression.

Escitalopram for Treatment of Night Eating Syndrome

The primary objective of this study was to examine the short-term effects of escitalopram on symptoms of night eating syndrome (NES) in a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 40 patients with NES were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with escitalopram 20 mg (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 12 weeks. Escitalopram was started at 10 mg/d with a dosage increase to 20 mg/d after 4 weeks; placebo dosing was identical. The primary end point was a mean change in total score of the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ). At 12 weeks, mean (SE) change in NEQ total score was -13.0 (1.6) and -10.6 (2.2) in the escitalopram and placebo groups, respectively (F(1,37) = 2.5, P = 0.124). There was a marginal interaction effect between response to escitalopram and race (F(1,34) = 4.0, P = 0.052), with a favorable effect for white patients (F(1,20) = 6.0, P = 0.024) but not for black patients (F(1,13) = 0.6, P = 0.453). Seven patients in the escitalopram group, compared with 6 patients in the placebo group, showed a 50% NEQ score reduction (P = 0.736). Sixteen patients in the escitalopram group and 12 patients in the placebo group no longer met NES criteria (P = 0.168). Twelve patients in the escitalopram group were classified as responders according to the Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale compared with 7 patients in the placebo group (P = 0.113). No significant between-group differences were found for weight, mood ratings, or adverse events. We conclude that escitalopram treatment for 12 weeks was not superior to placebo in reducing NES symptoms as measured by the NEQ.

Female Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Treated with Antidepressant—Comparison between Escitalopram and Fluoxetine

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is one of the most widely used antidepressant and commonly associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD). This study compares the prevalence of FSD between patients on escitalopram and fluoxetine. The risk factors for FSD were also examined. A cross-sectional study involved 112 female depressed patients (56 each group) who were in remission (as defined in the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-IV] during the past 2 months with no significant signs or symptoms of the disturbance and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score of ≤10) from the psychiatric clinic in a university hospital. The rates of sexual dysfunction between the two groups were compared. The subjects were interviewed by using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Sexual dysfunction was assessed with the Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index. The prevalence of FSD was 44.6% for all patients, 55.4% for the fluoxetine group, and 33.9% for the escitalopram group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed no significant difference in the risk of FSD between the two groups. Moderate to high dosing was the only significant associated factor for FSD (odds ratio = 4.89, 95% confidence interval = 1.94-12.33). There was no significant difference in the risk of having FSD between patients treated with fluoxetine or escitalopram. Patients on higher dosage of antidepressant have higher risk of having FSD.

Apathy in currently nondepressed patients treated with a SSRI for a major depressive episode: Outcomes following randomized switch to either duloxetine or escitalopram

Apathy in the context of treated major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common but understudied symptom. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized study investigated whether switching from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), compared with switching to another SSRI, improved apathy symptoms in patients who had been treated with a SSRI for MDD for ≥3 months, were no longer depressed (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] total score ≤15), and continued to have apathy (Apathy Evaluation Scale – Clinician rated version [AES-C] total score >30). Following 8 weeks of treatment, both the duloxetine (SNRI, 244 patients) and escitalopram (SSRI, 239 patients) groups significantly improved from baseline on the AES-C total score (least squares mean change [standard error]: duloxetine −13.9 [0.54]; escitalopram −13.5 [0.54], both P < 0.001), and on the secondary apathy, depression, and functional outcomes. There were no significant differences between the two groups on any measure, including AES-C total score (least squares mean difference [95% confidence interval]: −0.4 [−1.87 to 1.10], P = 0.612; primary objective). There was a significant within-group improvement in apathy in the subgroup who received escitalopram before and during the study. There were few differences in safety between the two groups. This study did not support the hypothesis that switching from a SSRI to a SNRI has a beneficial effect on apathy symptoms. However, given the study limitations, it is possible that more specific targeting of the noradrenergic pathway would be of benefit.

Sexual Function in Nondepressed Women Using Escitalopram for Vasomotor Symptoms

To evaluate sexual function in midlife women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for vasomotor symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors effectively treat vasomotor symptoms but adversely affect sexual function in depressed populations. Information on sexual function in nondepressed midlife women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for vasomotor symptoms is lacking; any treatments that might impair function are of concern. This was a randomized controlled trial comparing 8 weeks of escitalopram with placebo in women ages 40-62 years with 28 or more bothersome vasomotor symptoms per week. Change in Female Sexual Function Index composite score (ranges from 2 [not sexually active, no desire] to 36) and six sexual domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale, and a single-question of sexually-related personal distress from the Female Sexual Distress Scale, were compared between groups. Among all women, median composite baseline Female Sexual Function Index score was 18.1 (interquartile range 2.4-26.5, n=200) and among sexually active women was 22.8 (interquartile range 17.4-27.0, n=75) in the escitalopram group and 23.6 (interquartile range 14.9-31.0, n=70) in the placebo group. Treatment with escitalopram did not affect composite Female Sexual Function Index score at follow-up compared with placebo (P=.18 all women; P=.47 sexually active at baseline). Composite mean Female Sexual Function Index change from baseline to week 8 was 0.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.5 to 1.7) for escitalopram and 2.0 (95% CI 0.2-3.8) for placebo. The Female Sexual Distress Scale results did not differ between groups (P=.73) nor did adverse reports of sexual function. At week 8, among those women sexually active at baseline, there was a small difference between groups in Female Sexual Function Index domain mean score change in lubrication (P=.02) and a marginal nonsignificant difference in orgasm (P=.07). Escitalopram, when used in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, did not worsen overall sexual function among nondepressed midlife women.

98: Escitalopram use in pregnancy: an observational cohort study

Escitalopram is a 5-HT re-uptake inhibitor prescribed for depression and anxiety. To date, a single published study has described fetal outcome following gestational exposure to escitalopram. We sought to determine whether escitalopram is associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. We analysed pregnancy outcomes of women who contacted the Motherisk Program and other Teratogen Information Services regarding the safety of escitalopram during pregnancy. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Two comparison groups of pregnant women exposed to other antidepressants (N=212) and non-teratogenic exposures (N=212) were matched for maternal age (+/−2 years) alcohol and tobacco use and gestational age at time of initial call (+/−2 years). Statistical analysis was performed using Chi Squared. Among 213 escitalopram exposures were 172 (80.8%) live births, 32 (15.0%) spontaneous abortions, 3 (1.4%) stillbirth, 6 (2.8%) artificial abortions, 19 (8.9%) premature births and 4 (1.9%) major malformations. Mean birth weight of exposed infants was 3198 (plus/minus) 594 gram and mean gestational age at delivery was 38.6 (plus/minus) 2.2 weeks. Rates of spontaneous abortions were significantly higher in both antidepressant groups [17.3% escitalopram, 16.0% other antidepressants] in comparison to the non teratogen group (8.5%). The rate of low birth weight (<2500 grams) was higher in the escitalopram group (9.9%) compared to the other antidepressants (3.6%, P=0.038) and non-teratogens (2.1%, P=0.003). There were no differences in the rates of major malformations, premature births, stillbirths or NICU admissions. escitalopram exposure during pregnancy does not appear to increase the rate of major malformations above baseline (1-3%). However, the higher number of spontaneous abortions in both antidepressant groups confirms previous findings. The high rate of low birth weight requires further investigation.

Hypoactive sexual desire among depressed female patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: A comparison between escitalopram and fluoxetine

Objective. To determine the risk of hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) in depressed female patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, comparing escitalopram and fluoxetine. The associated factors were also examined. Methods. This cross-sectional study involved 112 female patients (56 in each group) diagnosed to have major depressive disorder who were in remission (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV) in the past 2 months and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of ≤ 10) from the psychiatric clinic, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). They were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Hypoactive sexual desire was assessed using the Desire subscale of the Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI). Results. The risk of hypoactive sexual desire was 50.9% for all patients; 64.3% for the fluoxetine group and 37.5% for the escitalopram group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed fluoxetine therapy (adjusted OR = 3.08, CI = 1.23, 7.73) and moderate to high dosage of antidepressant (adjusted OR = 4.27, CI = 1.66, 10.95) were significantly associated with hypoactive sexual desire. Conclusion. Those treated with fluoxetine had significantly higher rates of HSD than those on escitalopram. Moderate to high antidepressant dosage is another significant predictor of HSD in depressed women treated with SSRIs.

Combining escitalopram with gaboxadol provides no additional benefit in the treatment of patients with severe major depressive disorder

The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to compare the efficacy of escitalopram (20 mg/d) in combination with fixed doses of gaboxadol to escitalopram (20 mg) in the treatment of patients with severe major depressive disorder (MDD). Adult patients were randomized to 8 wk of double-blind treatment with fixed doses of placebo (n=71), escitalopram (20 mg, n=140), escitalopram (20 mg)+gaboxadol (5 mg) (n=139), or escitalopram (20 mg)+gaboxadol (10 mg) (n=140). The pre-defined primary analysis of efficacy was an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of change from baseline to endpoint (week 8) in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score using last observation carried forward (LOCF). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean change from baseline in MADRS total score between the 20 mg escitalopram+10 mg gaboxadol group and the 20 mg escitalopram group [difference=-0.45 MADRS points (95% CI -2.5 to 1.6, p=0.6619, full analysis set (FAS), LOCF, ANCOVA)] at week 8. The mean treatment differences to placebo at week 8 were -5.6 (95% CI -8.0 to -3.1, p<0.0001) (20 mg escitalopram), -5.1 (95% CI -7.5 to -2.7, p<0.0001) (20 mg escitalopram+5 mg gaboxadol), and -6.0 (95% CI -8.4 to -3.6, p<0.0001) (20 mg escitalopram+10 mg gaboxadol). The most common adverse events reported in the active treatment groups for which the incidence was higher than that in the placebo group, comprised nausea, anxiety and insomnia. There were no clinically relevant efficacy differences between a combination of escitalopram and gaboxadol compared to escitalopram alone in the treatment of severe MDD. All active treatment groups were superior in efficacy to placebo and were well tolerated.

Depession treatment with citalopram in cancer patients: a randomized and controlled clinical trial

Objectives To evaluate efficacy and safety of citalopram in the treatment of depression of cancer patients. Methods In the 6-week, randomized, double-blind and parallel controlled clinical trial, 188 patients were randomly divided into citalopram group and placebo group. All the patients were assessed with HAMD-17, HAMA before treatment and after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment.Safety measures included adverse reactions observation. Results The total effective rates of the escitalopram group 62.22％. The scores of HAMD 17 and HAMA in citalopram decreased significantly,with statistically difference compared with the baseline and placebo group. Conclutions Citalopram is an effective and safety antidepressant treatment to depression in cancer patients. Key words: Citalopram; Depression; Cancer; Randomized controlled trials

Majör Depresif Bozukluğun Akut Dönem Tedavisinde Sitalopram ve Essitalopram'ın Yaşam Kalitesi Üzerine Etkisi: Karşılaştırmalı Açık Bir Şalışma

ÖZETAmaç: Major depresif bozuklukta tedavi ile belirtilerde düzelme elde edilirken, hastaların işlevselliklerinin ve öznel yaşam kalitelerinin de geliştirilmesi hedeflenmektedir. Bu çalışmada major depresif bozukluk tanısı konmuş hastalarda sitalopram ve essitalopram tedavilerinin karşılaştırmalı olarak yaşam kalitesi üzerine etkisini değerlendirmek ve ayrıca tedavi sonucunda düzelen hastalarda normal toplum değerleri ile karşılaştırmak amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem: Çalışma psikiyatri polikliniğine başvuran ve major depresif bozukluk tanısı konan 74 hasta ile yürütülmüştür. Sitalopram grubunda hastaların yaş ortalaması 40.6 olarak bulunmuştur ve 24′ü (%63.5) kadındır. Essitalopram grubunda ise hastaların yaş ortalaması 38.6 olarak elde edilmiştir ve kadın oranı %62.2 olarak saptanmıştır. Hastalık süresi sitalopram grubunda 3.19 yıl, essitalopram grubunda 3.49 yıldır. Sitalopram grubunda hastaların %54.1′inde tek dönem varken, bu oran essitalopram grubunda %81.1 olarak gözlenmiştir. Hastaların depresyon şiddeti Hamilton Depresyonu Derecelendirme Ölçeği (HAM-D) ile belirlenmiş, yaşam kalitesinin incelenmesi amacıyla Kısa Form-36 (SF-36) ve EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) ölçekleri uygulanmıştır. Tedavide randomize olarak grubun yarısına sitalopram ve diğer yarısına essitalopram uygulanmıştır ve hastalar 2., 4. ve 6. haftalarda değerlendirilmiştir. Tedavide başlangıç dozu sitalopram için 20 mg/ gün, essitalopram için 10 mg/gün olarak belirlenmiştir. Tedaviye yanıt olarak HAM-D ile değerlendirilen depresyon şiddetinde başlangıç puanına göre %50 azalma ve düzelme olarak ise HAM-D≤7 kabul edilmiştir. İkinci haftadan itibaren HAM-D puanı %25 oranında azalma göstermeyen hastalarda tedavi ilacının dozu %50 arttırılmıştır. İstatistiksel değerlendirmede normal dağılıma uyan grupta T Testi, normal dağılım göstermeyen grupta ise Mann-Whitney U Testi uygulanmıştır. Ayrıca sağlanan düzelmede etki büyüklüğünü göstermek amacıyla Cohen d etki büyüklüğü hesaplanmıştır.Bulgular: Hastaların altı hafta sonunda kullandıkları ortalama ilaç dozları sitalopram için 24.6 mg/gün ve essitalopram için 11.8 mg/ gün olarak elde edilmiştir. Tüm hastalar tedaviye yanıt vermiş olup remisyon oranı (HAM-D≤7) %63.5′tur. Yanıt veren ve remisyona ulaşan hasta oranları açısından sitalopram ve essitalopram grupları arasında istatistiksel farklılık saptanmamıştır. Yaşam kalitesi ölçümlerinde, SF-36 ve EQ-5D ölçeklerinin tüm alt ölçeklerinde dördüncü haftadan itibaren istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzelme gözlenmiştir. Her iki ilaç grubu karşılaştırıldığında yaşam kalitesi değişkenleri açısından herhangi bir farklılık saptanmamıştır, ancak ikinci haftada essitalopram grubunda daha fazla sayıda yaşam kalitesi değişkeninde düzelme elde edilmiştir. Her ne kadar altıncı haftanın sonunda hastalarda istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzelme elde edilmiş olsa bile, bu düzelmenin etki büyüklüğü orta düzeydedir. Her iki ilaç grubundan remisyona giren hastalarda (n=53) toplum standart değerleriyle karşılaştırıldığında, SF-36 ölçeğinin fiziksel rol güçlüğü, genel sağlık algısı, sosyal işlevsellik ve emosyonel rol güçlüğü alt ölçekleri anlamlı olarak düşüktür. Tedavinin sonunda yineleyici depresyonu olan hastalarda yaşam kalitesi yönünden daha fazla bozulma saptanmıştır.Sonuç: Hastalarda akut dönem tedavisinde sitalopram ile essitalopram arasında yaşam kalitesinde düzelme yönünden anlamlı farklılık yoktur. Yaşam kalitesi ve psikososyal işlevsellik açısından ölçek puanlarında düşme elde edilmekte ancak normal düzeye dönme sağlanamamaktadır.

Escitalopram treatment of menopausal hot flashes

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 10 and 20 mg/day of escitalopram on objectively recorded hot flashes and on the rectal temperature threshold for sweating. Two studies were performed: 16 women received 10 mg/day and 26 women received 20 mg/day escitalopram for 8 weeks. They were randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive active drug or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Hot flash frequency was measured with an ambulatory recorder during the first 3 weeks and during the 8th week of the study. Rectal temperature threshold for sweating was measured during the 1st and 8th weeks of the study using published methods. In the first study, there were no significant effects whatsoever for any measure. In the second study, the escitalopram group showed an average decline in hot flash frequency of 14.4%, whereas the placebo group showed an average increase of 6.7% (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant effects across time for either group. There were no significant effects whatsoever for rectal temperature sweating thresholds. Escitalopram at 10 or 20 mg/day is not effective in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes.