Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Three prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled prevention trials were conducted on 1042 SAD patients, enrolled in autumn and treated while still well, across the northern US and Canada. Patients received either bupropion XL 150-300 mg or placebo daily by mouth from enrollment until spring and were then followed off medications for 8 additional weeks. Primary efficacy variables were end-of-treatment depression-free rates and survival distributions of depressive recurrence. RESULTS: Despite a reported average of 13 previous seasonal depressive episodes, almost 60% of patients had never previously been treated for depression. Major depression recurrence rates during the three studies for bupropion XL and placebo groups were 19% versus 30% (p = 0.026), 13% versus 21% (p = 0.049), and 16% versus 31%; yielding a relative risk reduction across the three studies of 44% for patients taking bupropion XL. Survival analyses for depression onset also favored bupropion XL over placebo (p = .081, .057, and <.001). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to prevent recurrence of seasonal major depressive episodes by beginning bupropion treatment early in the season while patients are still well.
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Authors | Jack G Modell, Norman E Rosenthal, April E Harriett, Alok Krishen, Afsaneh Asgharian, Vicki J Foster, Alan Metz, Carol B Rockett, Donna S Wightman |
Journal | Biological psychiatry
(Biol Psychiatry)
Vol. 58
Issue 8
Pg. 658-67
(Oct 15 2005)
ISSN: 0006-3223 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16271314
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
- Bupropion
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
(therapeutic use)
- Body Weight
(drug effects)
- Bupropion
(therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Retrospective Studies
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
(prevention & control)
- Secondary Prevention
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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