OBJECTIVE: In the treatment of depression, clinical and psychopharmacologic aspects have been investigated to predict the response to anti-depressants. Some trials have reported clinical improvement as early as the first week; however, few have investigated the early effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The aim of this study was to investigate therapeutic efficacy of paroxetine within the first 3 days of therapy onset. METHOD: Subjects included 29 outpatients diagnosed at first interview with major depressive disorder according to DSM-IV criteria (June 2003 to January 2007). Paroxetine 5-20 mg/day was administered for at least 2 weeks. Treatment efficacy was defined as a > 50% decrease in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) total scores from baseline to the end of the second week. To determine efficacy within the first 3 days, patients completed the HAM-D as a self-rated questionnaire on the first and third days and at the end of the first, second, and fourth weeks. RESULT: Subjects were divided into 2 groups: successful (17 responders) and failed (12 non-responders). There was a significant difference between the reduction rates of self-rated HAM-D total scores on the third day (p < .01). CONCLUSION: In patients responding to paroxetine in the early stages of treatment, the prediction of response within the first 3 days using the self-rated HAM-D is suggested.
OBJECTIVE: In the treatment of depression, clinical and psychopharmacologic aspects have been investigated to predict the response to anti-depressants. Some trials have reported clinical improvement as early as the first week; however, few have investigated the early effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The aim of this study was to investigate therapeutic efficacy of paroxetine within the first 3 days of therapy onset. METHOD: Subjects included 29 outpatients diagnosed at first interview with major depressive disorder according to DSM-IV criteria (June 2003 to January 2007). Paroxetine 5-20 mg/day was administered for at least 2 weeks. Treatment efficacy was defined as a > 50% decrease in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) total scores from baseline to the end of the second week. To determine efficacy within the first 3 days, patients completed the HAM-D as a self-rated questionnaire on the first and third days and at the end of the first, second, and fourth weeks. RESULT: Subjects were divided into 2 groups: successful (17 responders) and failed (12 non-responders). There was a significant difference between the reduction rates of self-rated HAM-D total scores on the third day (p < .01). CONCLUSION: In patients responding to paroxetine in the early stages of treatment, the prediction of response within the first 3 days using the self-rated HAM-D is suggested.
Authors: Phil Lee; Liang Shu; Xiufeng Xu; Chuan Yue Wang; Min Soo Lee; Chia-Yih Liu; Jin Pyo Hong; Sandra Ruschel; Joel Raskin; Samuel A Colman; Gavan A Harrison Journal: Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2007-06 Impact factor: 5.188
Authors: Martin M Katz; Janet L Tekell; Charles L Bowden; Steve Brannan; John P Houston; Nancy Berman; Alan Frazer Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: G C Dunbar; J B Cohn; L F Fabre; J P Feighner; R R Fieve; J Mendels; R K Shrivastava Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 1991-09 Impact factor: 9.319