CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides evidence for the efficacy of both SSRIs and TCAs in the treatment of chronic depression and showed a better acceptability of SSRIs
INTRODUCTION Chronic depression represents a substantial portion of depressive disorders and is associated with severe consequences .
This review examined the efficacy and acceptability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) in the treatment of chronic depression .
Additionally , the comparative effectiveness of the two types of antidepressants has been examined .
Interleukin-1 beta production in dysthymia before and after pharmacotherapy.
BACKGROUND Like major depression , dysthymia has been associated with elevated production of interleukin-1 ( IL-1 beta ) in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes . In the present investigation , we assessed whether the elevated IL-1 beta production in dysthymic patients would normalize following treatment with sertraline . METHODS The production of IL-1 beta was determined in dysthymic patients and in nondepressed control subjects . Patients then received 12 weeks of doses of either sertraline or placebo in a double-blind trial , after which cytokine production was again determined . RESULTS Basal IL-1 beta was elevated in dysthymic patients relative to control subjects . Cytokine production was modestly correlated with the severity of symptoms and with the age of illness onset . Relative to placebo treatment , sertraline attenuated the symptoms of depression ; however , this was not accompanied by normalization of IL-1 beta production . CONCLUSIONS While dysthymia is associated with elevated IL-1 beta production , the failure for the cytokine to normalize following symptom alleviation suggests that either the IL-1 beta may be a trait marker of the illness , or that more sustained treatment is necessary to reduce cytokine production . Given the neuroendocrine and central neurochemical consequences of exogenously administered IL-1 beta , the possibility ought to be explored that increased IL-1 beta production may play a role in the pathophysiology of dysthymia
CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides evidence for the efficacy of both SSRIs and TCAs in the treatment of chronic depression and showed a better acceptability of SSRIs
INTRODUCTION Chronic depression represents a substantial portion of depressive disorders and is associated with severe consequences .
This review examined the efficacy and acceptability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) in the treatment of chronic depression .
Additionally , the comparative effectiveness of the two types of antidepressants has been examined .