Relapse prevention by citalopram in SAD patients responding to 1 week of light therapy. A placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We have tested the relapse-preventive effect of citalopram when compared with placebo in 282 patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) responding to 1 week of light therapy.

METHOD:

The response rate to 1-week light therapy and relapse during the continuation phase of 15 weeks were assessed by use of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17), the six-item subscale (HAM-D6), the Melancholia Scale (MES), and the combined HAM-D/SIGH-SAD.

RESULTS:

The response rate to light therapy was 62.5% on the HAM-D17 and the HAM-D6, 56.1% on the HAM-D/SIGH-SAD, 52.8% on the MES. In the continuation phase, citalopram was found superior to placebo on all scales, but the difference was only of statistical significance on the HAM-D6 and the MES. Mean citalopram dose was 26.3 mg.

CONCLUSION:

Light therapy was found to have and early onset of action. On the HAM-D6 and the MES citalopram significantly reduced the relapse rate in the continuation phase.

• Authors: K Martiny, M Lunde, C Simonsen, L Clemmensen, D L Poulsen, K Solstad, P Bech
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand) Vol. 109 Issue 3 Pg. 230-4 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 0001-690X [Print] United States
• PMID: 14984396 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Citalopram

Topics

• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (therapeutic use)
• Citalopram (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phototherapy
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (prevention & control, psychology, therapy)
• Secondary Prevention
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors