How long should the elderly take antidepressants? A double-blind placebo-controlled study of continuation/prophylaxis therapy with dothiepin. Old Age Depression Interest Group.

Abstract

Of 219 elderly patients with a major depressive disorder (meeting RDC), 69 recovered sufficiently and consented to enter a two-year double-blind placebo-controlled trial of dothiepin. Survival analysis revealed that dothiepin reduced the relative risk of relapse by two and a half times. Past but not current serious physical illness was also associated with a favourable outcome, whereas a prolonged index depressive illness trebled the relative risk of relapse. In the light of previous research on prognosis it is suggested that elderly persons who recover from a major depressive illness should continue with antidepressant medication for at least two years, if not indefinitely.

• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 162 Pg. 175-82 (Feb 1993) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 8435687 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dothiepin

Topics

• Aged
• Depressive Disorder (drug therapy, psychology)
• Dothiepin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Long-Term Care
• Male
• Personality Assessment
• Recurrence