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Escitalopram prevents relapse in older patients with major depressive disorder

Gorwood, P., Weiller, E., Lemming, O., Katona, Cornelius (2007) Escitalopram prevents relapse in older patients with major depressive disorder. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15 (7). pp. 581-593. ISSN 1064-7481. (doi:10.1097/01.jgp.0000240823.94522.4c) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:2168)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jgp.0000240823.94522.4c

Abstract

Objective: The present study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of escitalopram in the prevention of relapse of major depressive disorder (MDD) in older patients who had responded to acute treatment with escitalopram. Method: A total of 405 patients who were aged 65 years or older with a primary diagnosis of MDD ( according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria) and a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS) total score of 22 or more received 12-week, open-label escitalopram 10 or 20 mg per day treatment. Remitters ( MADRS <= 12) were randomized to 24-week double-blind treatment with escitalopram or placebo. The primary efficacy parameter was the time to relapse, defined as either an increase in MADRS total score to 22 or more or lack of efficacy as judged by the investigator. Results: Three hundred five patients achieved remission and were randomly assigned to treatment with escitalopram (N = 152) or placebo ( N = 153). The primary analysis showed a clear beneficial effect of escitalopram relative to placebo on the time to relapse ( log-rank test, chi(2) < 27.6, df = 1, p < 0.001). The risk of relapse was 4.4 times higher for placebo-than for escitalopram-treated patients (chi(2) test, chi(2) = 22.9, df = 1, p < 0.001). Significantly fewer escitalopram-treated patients relapsed ( 9%) compared with placebo (33%) (chi(2) test, chi(2) = 27.1, df=1, p < 0.001). Escitalopram was well tolerated with 53 patients (13%) withdrawn as a result of adverse events during the open-label period and three (2%) escitalopram-treated patients and six (4%) placebo-treated patients during double-blind treatment ( not significant). The overall withdrawal rate, excluding relapses, was 7.2% for escitalopram and 8.5% for placebo during the double-blind period ( not significant). Conclusion: Escitalopram was effective in preventing relapse of MDD in older patients and was well tolerated as continuation treatment.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1097/01.jgp.0000240823.94522.4c
Uncontrolled keywords: elderly; escitalopram; major depressive disorder; placebo-controlled; randomized clinical trial; relapse prevention
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Maureen Cook
Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2007 19:31 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:29 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/2168 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Katona, Cornelius.

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