Treatment Of Depression In Women Research Articles

Combined Effect of Sertraline and Capecitabine on Breast Cancer Cell Lines In Vitro and In Silico Evidence for Synergistic Interaction

Background: Depression is a common mood disorder that manifests itself simultaneously with chronic diseases. It is especially common in patients diagnosed with cancer, and when neglected, it reduces the success of cancer treatment. The fact that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women shows that the treatment of depression in women with cancer is very important. As a result, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in oncology units also use antidepressants simultaneously. It is critical to correctly understand the interactions between drugs used in combination. Method: In this study, doses were prepared for MCF7 and MDAMB-231 cell lines by serial dilution from 1000 ng/mL to 1.95 ng/mL. Cell viability was calculated with the WST-1 kit by applying the prepared doses of capecitabine and sertraline alone. In the sertraline/capecitabine combination study, cell viability was examined in MDAMB-231 and MCF-7 cells by applying doses of 300, 100, 50, 25, 10 ng/mL. Combinations that showed selective cytotoxicity after the combination were analyzed with the CompuSyn program and the combination index (CI<1 = synergism) was calculated. Studies on caspase 3-8-9, DNA fragmentation and mTOR were continued using a combination that showed a synergistic effect. Result: It was determined that compared to drug use alone, the sertraline/capecitabine combination decreased cell viability. There is no significant difference in caspase-3,-8,-9 and DNA fragmentation in cancer cells, but there is a reduction in the level of mTOR. This suggests that the death mechanism may be autophagy. Docking studies with autophagy pathway-related proteins further support our results. It is noteworthy that the AKT1-sertraline complex had the best binding affinity among the target proteins (−9.1 kcal/mol).

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in women with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Depression is a common co-morbidity in women with breast cancer. Previous systematic reviews investigating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression in this population based their conclusions on findings from studies with varying and often limited specificity, quality and/or quantity of CBT within their interventions. To determine the effectiveness of a specific, well-evidenced CBT protocol for depression in women with breast cancer. Online databases were systematically searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing CBT (aligned to Beck's protocol) as a treatment for depression in women with breast cancer. Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were independently undertaken by two study authors. Both narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were used to analyse the data. The meta-analysis used a random effects model to compare CBT with non-active/active controls of depression using validated, self-report measures. Six RCTs were included in the narrative synthesis, and five in the meta-analysis (n = 531 participants). Overall, CBT demonstrated an improvement in depression scores in the CBT condition versus active and non-active controls at post-intervention (SMD = -0.93 [95% CI -1.47, -0.40]). Narratively, five out of six RCTs reported statistically significant improvements in depression symptoms for CBT over control conditions for women with breast cancer. CBT aligned to Beck's protocol for depression appears effective for treating depression in women with breast cancer. However, further research is needed for women with stage IV breast cancer. The clinical recommendation is that therapists utilise Beck's CBT protocol for depression, whilst considering the complex presentation and adapt their practice accordingly.

Personal construct therapy vs. cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of depression in women with fibromyalgia: a multicentre randomized controlled trial with a 6-month follow-up

IntroductionDepressive symptoms are common in patients with Fibromyalgia (FM), a chronic and disabling pain syndrome. Psychological interventions are mostly focused in negative thinking and behavioural activation. However, several studies suggest that personal identity is also affected by FM.ObjectivesWe aimed to examine the effects of Personal Construct Therapy (PCT), an idiographic approach that emphasizes identity features and interpersonal construal, on depressive symptoms in women with FM.MethodsIn the context of a multicentre parallel randomized trial (Trial Registry: NCT02711020), 106 women with FM and presenting depressive symptoms were randomized either to either Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT; n = 55), taken as a gold standard comparison, or PCT (n = 51). In total, 69 patients completed the treatment and the six-month follow-up assessment (CBT = 32 and PCT = 37). Both treatments were applied on case formulation premises.ResultsLinear mixed-effects models were performed to compare depressive symptoms between treatment conditions. Anxiety and pain measures were treated as secondary outcomes. Participants in both conditions significantly reduced their levels of depression and anxiety as well as the impact of FM but no significant between treatment differences were found. Analysis of clinically significant change for depressive symptoms and pain was also similar between both conditions.ConclusionsPCT resulted equally effective in the treatment of depressive symptoms in women with FM when compared with CBT, both offered in a modular format. Thus, PCT with tis focus on identity issues can be considered as an alternative treatment for these patients.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Depression treatment in women and men with bipolar affective disorder: a comparative study

Objective: to compare depression treatment efficacy with and without antidepressants (ADs) in men and women with bipolar affective disorder (BAD).Patients and methods. We enrolled 100 patients with BAD (F31.3–F31.5 according to ICD-10), including 50 women aged 33.0 [23.0; 50.2] years and 50 men aged 37.5 [29.5; 47.2] years using prospective and retrospective methods. Various antidepressants, normothymics, antipsychotics combinations were used to treat depression. We performed a comparative analysis of treatment efficacy with and without antidepressants in men and women subgroups. Clinical assessment at the baseline and the end of 1, 2, 4, 6-th week of therapy (or at discharge) included a specially developed clinical examination chart and the following psychometric scales: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Clinical Global Impression – Severity of illness (CGI-S), Clinical Global Impression – Improvement (CGI-I).Results and discussion. Women tended to have a slower improvement in the condition compared to men. Maximum reduction in MADRS score and a CGI-I, CGI-S higher frequency of clinical improvement and remission was observed in men and women who did not receive antidepressants than patients who did not receive antidepressants. When BAD type was included in the analysis, in patients treated with antidepressants, transient symptoms of the opposite pole occurred in 24.7% of patients of both sexes with bipolar affective I disorder (BAD I) and in 16.8% with bipolar affective II disorder (BAD II). There were no significant gender differences in patients with BAD I, while women predominated in BAD II group (22.5% compared to 7.8% men). No significant treatment-emergent affective switch was observed with tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in both groups (21; 16.7; 16.7% in men and 28; 21.8; 12.5% in women, respectively). The assessment of intermission revealed that women were significantly more likely to have shorter periods between phases (42% compared to 22% in men). In addition, women were significantly more likely to have shorter periods between phases (42% compared to 22% in men) when the intermission duration was included in the analysis. In some patients with severe depression and infective first-line therapy (anticonvulsants and atypical antipsychotics), antidepressants prescription can increase treatment effectiveness. However, several factors should be considered, such as BAD type and variant, depression severity, treatment-emergent affective switch in history, and gender.Conclusion. A decision about antidepressants' dosage and treatment duration requires a dynamic follow-up of the patient in order to discontinue the antidepressants as fast as possible and decrease the risk of treatment-emergent affective switch and shortening of remission period.

Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy for community living depressed women involved with the justice system.

Despite the prevalence of depression among women in the justice system, and its potentially significant consequences, there is a dearth of studies investigating psychological treatments for depression in this context, especially outside prison. Our aim was to gather preliminary data on whether individual interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an acceptable and effective treatment for depression in women at an early stage in the justice system. In this pilot study, IPT was offered to 24 depressed women following their first or second contact with the justice system. The women were assessed using a range of scales to quantify depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social support. Multilevel models were used to explore interactions between change in depression and other features given the multiplicity and complexity of problems. Details on engagement and attrition were also collected. Therapy attrition was low, despite challenging life-circumstances and depression scores followed a linear trajectory with scores significantly decreasing over the time (β=-0.59, SE=0.07, p<0.001). Participants with more adverse life events, attachment related anxiety and lower social support had poorer outcomes. Results are encouraging. More than half of the hard-to-reach women who were eligible did engage, and retention rates suggest the therapy was acceptable to them. Depression scores improved, and potential factors affecting treatment outcome were identified. A randomised controlled trial is now warranted, ensuring adequate supplementary support for women with dependants living on their own and without employment.

Personal Construct Therapy vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Depression in Women with Fibromyalgia: Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a debilitating syndrome, more prevalent in women, which is aggravated by the presence of depressive symptoms. In the last decade, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has demonstrated to reduce such depressive symptoms and pain in these patients, but there are still a considerable number of them who do not respond to interventions. The complexity of the disorder requires the consideration of the unique psychological characteristics of each patient to attain good outcomes. One approach that could accomplish this goal might be personal construct therapy (PCT), an idiographic approach that considers identity features and interpersonal meanings as their main target of intervention. Then, the aim of the study is to test the efficacy of PCT as compared to a well-established treatment in the reduction of depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia.Methods and AnalysisThis is a multicenter randomized controlled trial. In each condition participants will attend up to eighteen 1-hr weekly therapy sessions and up to three 1-hr booster sessions during the following 3–5 months after the end of treatment. The depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) will be the primary outcome measure and it will be assessed at baseline, at the end of therapy, and at 6-month follow-up. Other secondary measures will be applied following the same schedule. Participants will be 18- to 70-years-old women with a diagnosis of FM, presenting depressive symptoms evinced by scores above seven in depression items of the HADS-D. Intention-to-treat and complete case analyses will be performed for the main statistical tests. Linear mixed models will be used to analyze and to compare the treatment effects of both conditions.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02711020.

Treatment of Depression in Women.

Women are more likely than men to experience depression throughout the life span. Sex differences in neurochemistry and brain structure, as well as societal factors may contribute to women's increased likelihood of depression. Pharmacological research targeting depression has historically excluded women, leading to a knowledge gap regarding effective antidepressant treatment in women. Antidepressant pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are clearly different in men and women, necessitating a thoughtful approach to their prescription and management. Hormone changes associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause also contribute to differences in depression and effective antidepressant use in women. Finally, it is important to consider potential interactions between antidepressant drugs and medications specifically used by women (oral contraceptives, tamoxifen, and estrogen).

Botulinum Toxin as a Treatment for Depression in a Real-world Setting.

A series of randomized controlled trials have shown the efficacy of glabellar botulinum toxin (BTX) injection as a treatment for depression in women. We wanted to extend these findings and assess how they may be translated to a real-world setting. For that purpose, 42 patients with severe, in most cases chronic and treatment-resistant depression received adjunctive treatment with BTX in private practice. Depression severity was rated before and 3 weeks after the treatment using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Almost all of the patients improved clinically, with depression scores dropping by 27% on all 3 scales in the sample as a whole. These changes were highly significant (P<0.001, paired t test or Wilcoxon test) and the absolute prepost score differences were similar to those observed in previous randomized controlled trials. Importantly, treatment effects did not differ between male (n=23) and female (n=19) patients. These findings suggest that glabellar BTX injection may also be effective in the treatment of severe depression and in the treatment of depression in men, when treatment is carried out not just in clinical trials but in real-world settings.

Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, and Mood Stabilizers in Pregnancy: What Do We Know and How Should We Treat Pregnant Women with Depression.

Depression is generally treated with antidepressants, but may often need antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. We discuss the updated data regarding the safety in pregnancy of antidepressants and antipsychotics, except selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and their possible impact on the long-term development of the offspring. Several earlier studies demonstrated a slight increase in the rate of major anomalies following maternal tricyclic antidepressant treatment, but most current literature shows their relative safety in pregnancy. Data on the development of the offspring are also reassuring. The antipsychotic drugs are also safe for the developing fetus and do not seem to induce developmental delay. Both groups of drugs may cause perinatal withdrawal symptoms and difficulties in neonatal adaptation. The mood stabilizers, lithium, and several anti-epileptic drugs, may adversely affect the developing embryo and fetus. While valproic acid, carbamazepine, and topiramate are teratogenic and may also affect postnatal development, the newer antiepileptic and mood stabilizers, lamotrigine and levetiracetam, seem to be safe in pregnancy and apparently have no long-term neurodevelopmental damage. Lithium may increase the rate of cardiac anomalies, especially of Ebstein's anomaly, and may warrant a mid-trimester fetal echocardiography. Although data on the development of the offspring are reassuring, we should remember that most studies were carried out during early childhood, at a time when inattention, learning difficulties, behavioral and psychiatric problems are not yet identifiable. When considering medical treatment for depression in women at child-bearing age, we have to weigh the severity of the symptoms and their impact on the developing fetus and child. Birth Defects Research 109:933-956, 2017.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Combined application of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on depression in women: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials.

ObjectivesPrevious randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that depression can be effectively treated by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the clinical applicability of the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are the two major bioactive types of PUFAs, in depressed women.MethodsRCTs that compared the combination of DHA and EPA to placebo for short-course treatment of depression in women were systematically reviewed up to March 2015. Outcome measurement was the standardized difference in means in clinical measure of depression severity. Random effect model was performed. Meta-regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of baseline depression scores.ResultsData were obtained from eight RCTs. In these RCTs, 182 patients received placebo and 185 patients received DHA and EPA. The pooled standardized difference in mean was 0.65 with 95% CI = [0.18, 1.12]. There was no relation between the efficacy and the baseline depression scores. The sensitivity analysis found that the combination of EPA and DHA as monotherapy yielded a standardized difference in means of 0.65 (95% CI =0.41, 0.90) without heterogeneity.DiscussionThese results indicate a beneficial effect of the combination of EPA and DHA on depressed mood in women compared with placebo. The clinical applicability of EPA and DHA showed greater promise and should be further explored.

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Depression and Psychological Flexibility in Women With Breast Cancer

Background:: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Many women with breast cancer suffer from depression and psychological distress. Objectives:: The present study by the purpose of examining the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depression and psychological flexibility in women with breast cancer was performed. Patients and Methods:: The method of this research was semi-experimental, and statistic society of this research was women with breast cancer in Isfahan. In this research available sampling method was used and among patients admitted to Seyed-al-Shohada Hospital and who had registered to participate in the research, 20 people were selected randomly and they were randomly divided to two groups of control and experiment. Research tool consisted of beck depression inventory (BDI-II), acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ-II), and demographic questionnaire. Experimental group received 8 sessions of 2 hour acceptance and commitment group therapy. Follow-up stage was performed at one month after the last treatment session. Results:: Results showed that ACT significantly decreased scores on the BDI-II and increased score on AAQ-II compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions:: ACT may be considered to be an effective intervention approach for treatment of depression in women with breast cancer. It can be said that increasing in acceptance of thought and feeling associated with cancer and increasing in psychological flexibility that is the main goal of ACT has led to these changes.

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Depression and Psychological Flexibility in Women With Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Many women with breast cancer suffer from depression and psychological distress. Objectives: The present study by the purpose of examining the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depression and psychological flexibility in women with breast cancer was performed. Patients and Methods: The method of this research was semi-experimental, and statistic society of this research was women with breast cancer in Isfahan. In this research available sampling method was used and among patients admitted to Seyed-al-Shohada Hospital and who had registered to participate in the research, 20 people were selected randomly and they were randomly divided to two groups of control and experiment. Research tool consisted of beck depression inventory (BDI-II), acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ-II), and demographic questionnaire. Experimental group received 8 sessions of 2 hour acceptance and commitment group therapy. Follow-up stage was performed at one month after the last treatment session. Results: Results showed that ACT significantly decreased scores on the BDI-II and increased score on AAQ-II compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: ACT may be considered to be an effective intervention approach for treatment of depression in women with breast cancer. It can be said that increasing in acceptance of thought and feeling associated with cancer and increasing in psychological flexibility that is the main goal of ACT has led to these changes.

A Pilot Study of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Women with Breast Cancer.

This study sought to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) among women with breast cancer. Seven women with breast cancer and MDD received 12 sessions of IPT. Outcome measures included changes in depression severity, as measured by the Hamilton Rating Depression Scale (HAM-D), and global functioning, as measured by the Global Assessment Scale (GAF). Mixed linear models were used to examine whether change in depressive symptoms mediated change in global functioning. The HAM-D decreased from 21.3 (SD 8.1) to 11.1 (9.6) (p 0.02), whereas the GAF improved from 56.7 (5.5) to 70.3 (15.6) (p 0.049). A mixed regression model indicated that change in HAM-D scores predicted change in GAF scores (p 0.03). These results suggest that IPT is a promising treatment for depression in women with breast cancer. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the results of this study.

Depression and depression treatment in women with spinal cord injury.

Research has documented high rates of depression in people with spinal cord injury (SCI); however, most SCI research is conducted with predominantly male study participants. Additional research is needed on depression and depression treatment among women with SCI. Study objectives were to examine depression, correlates of depression, and depression treatment in a sample of women with SCI. The sample included 51 ethnically and racially diverse women with SCI who participated in a larger study on secondary conditions of women with diverse physical disabilities. Recruited through health clinics and community organizations in a large metropolitan area, participants completed structured interviews that included demographic and disability characteristics and measures of health and health care utilization. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) indicated that 41% of the women had depressive symptomatology in the mild to severe range. BDI-II scores were significantly related to more severe secondary conditions, greater pain, and poorer health perceptions but not to demographic or disability variables. Nearly a third (n = 16) of the women had scores exceeding the standard cutoff for significant clinical depressive symptomatology, yet only 5 of those had received any treatment for depression in the past 3 months and only 1 had received counseling or psychotherapy. Lifelong depression treatment showed a similar pattern of predominantly pharmacologic treatment. Depression is a common problem for women with SCI, and many do not receive treatment, particularly psychological treatment. Disability-sensitive and affordable depression treatment must be made available to women with SCI.

Pharmacological treatment of depression in women with breast cancer: a systematic review

The objective of this study is to review the literature on pharmacological treatment of depression in women with breast cancer. According to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of randomized, controlled clinical trials and open label prospective studies on antidepressants effects on depression in women with breast cancer up to January 14, 2013. In this analysis, a total of 213 studies were identified, and six studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the six studies, three were placebo-controlled randomized controlled clinical trials with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; and Mianserin—a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant. Both studies found that fluoxetine and mianserin significantly improved depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) compared with placebo. Conversely, desipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, and the SSRI, paroxetine, showed no significant effects on depression compared with placebo. A double-blind, parallel group study comparing a tricyclic antidepressant, amitriptyline, and paroxetine showed a significant and comparable improvement in depression and QOL. Two open label, prospective studies found that escitalopram and the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, reboxetine, significantly improved depression and QOL compared with baseline values. In conclusion, depression is a clinical problem in patients with breast cancer. Pharmacological treatment with antidepressants may improve depression and QOL. However, the evidence is limited, and the studies are too heterogeneous to recommend one regimen or drug over another. Further antidepressant studies are needed to guide depression treatment in patients with breast cancer.

Barriers in the diagnosis and treatment of depression in women in the USA: where are we now?

An estimated 14.8 million Americans aged 18 years and older, or approximately 6.7% of the adult US population, meet the criteria for major depressive disorder in any given year. Women are almost twice as likely as men to report lifetime history of a major depressive episode, with their first episode occurring in adolescence through to mid-life.

A guide to the treatment of depression in women by estrogens

ABSTRACTPremenstrual depression, postnatal depression and climacteric depression are related to changes in ovarian hormone levels and can be effectively treated by hormones. It is unfortunate that psychiatrists have not accepted this form of treatment and this paper is an attempt to simplify this treatment, which should include transdermal estrogens, possibly testosterone and, if the woman has a uterus, also progestogen. A balance is often necessary between these three hormones.Transdermal estrogens in the appropriate dose will suppress ovulation and suppress the cyclical hormonal changes that produce premenstrual depression. Estrogens also have a mood-enhancing effect in postnatal depression and the depression in the transitional phase of the menopause. It is possible to add transdermal testosterone which will improve mood, energy and libido. The problem is the progestogen as these women are often progestogen-intolerant. Progestogen should be used in the lowest dose and for the shortest duration necessary to prevent endometrial hyperplasia or the return of premenstrual syndrome-type symptoms if the women are progestogen-intolerant. The use of estrogens for depression in these women does not exclude the use of antidepressants. Hormone-responsive depression cannot be diagnosed by measuring hormone levels but can only be diagnosed by a careful history relating depression to the menstrual cycle, pregnancies and the perimenopausal years. These appropriate questions should prevent the endocrine condition of premenstrual depression being misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder and the woman given inappropriate treatment.

Domain-specific social functioning improvements during treatment of depressed women with histories of childhood sexual abuse

BackgroundDeterioration in social functioning and depression are often intertwined, particularly for women with histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Among women with CSA histories, some relationship domains may be more modifiable than others during time-limited depression treatment. Women with CSA histories often report long-standing interpersonal difficulties in close relationships. Thus, we expected that patients' relationships with immediate family and intimate partners would be less likely to improve during treatment than relationships with co-workers, friends, or extended family, unless patients received an interpersonally-focused intervention that targeted close relationships. MethodsTo examine domain-specific social functioning improvements and determine whether some domains were more likely than others to respond to an interpersonally-focused intervention, we analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial investigating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) vs. usual care (UC) in 69 depressed women with CSA histories. Participants completed the Social Adjustment Scale-SR at pretreatment, 10-, 24-, and 36-weeks. ResultsConsistent with our hypotheses, patients reported significant improvements in work roles, leisure activities with friends, and relationships with extended family members over the course of treatment. Relationships with immediate family members and intimate partners did not improve in the overall sample. However, relationships with immediate family improved significantly more among IPT than UC patients. LimitationsThe sample size is small and generalizability may be limited. ConclusionsSocial functioning improvements during depression treatment may be domain-specific among depressed women with CSA histories. IPT is more effective than UC at improving relationships with close family members in this population.

Cost-effectiveness of improved primary care treatment of depression in women in Chile

Low- and middle-income countries lack information on contextualised mental health interventions to aid resource allocation decisions regarding healthcare. To undertake a cost-effectiveness analysis of treatments for depression contextualised to Chile. Using data from studies in Chile, we developed a computer-based Markov cohort model of depression among Chilean women to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of usual care or improved stepped care. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of usual care was I$113 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, versus no treatment, whereas stepped care had an ICER of I$468 per QALY versus usual care. This compared favourably with Chile's per-capita GDP. Results were most sensitive to variation in recurrent episode coverage, marginally sensitive to cost of treatment, and insensitive to changes in health-state utility of depression and rate of recurrence. Our results suggest that treatments for depression in low- and middle-income countries may be more cost-effective than previously estimated.

Are there differences between serotonergic, noradrenergic and dual acting antidepressants in the treatment of depressed women?

Background. This study aims to investigate if there is a differential outcome of serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressant treatment and if menopausal status has an impact on antidepressant response in depressed women. Methods. Data of the 111 depressed women who were included and completed the previous four open-label studies where patients were evaluated six times during a 10-week period, were pooled in the current study. Each of the reboxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine groups consisted of 37 depressed women. Patients were also divided into two subgroups of age, determining the 44 years as the cut-off point representing the menopausal status. Results. No significant difference was observed in the percent change of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HDRS) and remission rates among treatment groups. Percent changes in Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) and response rates were in favour of venlafaxine group at week 10. Individual HDRS items 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 demonstrated significant improvement in the sertraline group, whereas HDRS item 7 demonstrated significant improvement in the venlafaxine group. An early reduction in anxiety subscale was observed in the venlafaxine group. Menopausal status had no impact on the outcome measures. Conclusions. These results suggest that noradrenergic and serotonergic activity do not differ from each other in treating depressed women. However, serotonergic activity appears to be more prominent in some particular symptoms such as feelings of guilt, suicidal ideation and sleep. Also, menopause does not appear to affect antidepressants’ benefit in depressed women.