An acceptability analysis showed that SSRIs were generally well tolerated .
Conclusions These results suggest that there is insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis of no differences in efficacy between SSRIs and placebo in the treatment of depression in PD .
Background Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for the treatment of depression in patients with Parkinson 's Disease ( PD ) but data on their efficacy are controversial .
[A comparison between low doses of amitriptyline and low doses of fluoxetin used in the control of depression in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease].
INTRODUCTION On average 40 % of all patients suffering from Parkinson s disease ( PD ) undergo bouts of depression . It is thought that this is due to a dysfunction in the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral circuits , together with hypometabolism in the orbital , cau date nucleus and frontal dorsolateral tract regions . AIMS The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of low doses of fluoxetin with that of low doses of amitriptyline in controlling depression in patients with PD . PATIENTS AND METHODS The study examined a total of 77 patients ( 34 females and 43 males ) , with an average age of 68.2 years , who had been suffering from PD ( according to the diagnostic criteria of Calne et al , in stage II of Hoehn and Yahr ) for an average of 6.9 years . They were divided r and omly into two groups which received fluoxetin ( 37 patients , dosage : 20 40 mg/day ) or amitriptyline ( 40 patients , dosage : between 25 and 75 mg/day ) . A basal evaluation and four others ( at 3 , 6 , 9 and 12 months of treatment ) were performed , including the STMS ( Short test of mental status ) , the Hamilton scale , and extent of functional disability using the UPDRS . A statistical analysis was performed by comparing the variance of the above mentioned parameters and the c2 test with Yates correction or the Fisher exact two tailed test , to evaluate the reasons for dropping out . In both cases a value of p < 0.05 was accepted as significant . RESULTS 58 patients finished the study . Drop out because of side effects only took place in the group that received amitriptyline ( p < 0.02 ) , which was better than fluoxetin at controlling the depression ( p < 0.009 , 0.001 , 0.002 and 0.00006 ) at 3 , 6 , 9 and 12 months , respectively . CONCLUSIONS At an average dosage of 35.2 mg/day , amitriptyline is effective in controlling the depression presented by patients with PD . However , despite the low dosage , the side effects it caused forced 15 % of the patients ab and on the treatment
An acceptability analysis showed that SSRIs were generally well tolerated .
Conclusions These results suggest that there is insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis of no differences in efficacy between SSRIs and placebo in the treatment of depression in PD .
Background Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for the treatment of depression in patients with Parkinson 's Disease ( PD ) but data on their efficacy are controversial .