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 .
Pramipexole versus sertraline in the treatment of depression in Parkinson’s disease
In addition to treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson ’s disease , the dopamine agonist pramipexole has shown an antidepressant effect . The trials , however , included patients with motor complications , raising the question of whether the antidepressant benefit represented only a treatment – related motor improvement . To address this issue , we have conducted a 14–week r and omized trial comparing pramipexole with an established antidepressant in patients without motor complications . At seven Italian centers , 67 Parkinsonian out patients with major depression but no history of motor fluctuations and /or dyskinesia received open – label pramipexole ( at 1.5 to 4.5 mg/day ) or sertraline ( at 50 mg/day ) . In both groups , the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAM – D ) score decreased throughout 12 weeks of treatment , but in the pramipexole group the proportion of patients who recovered , as defined by a final HAM – D score ≤ 8,was significantly higher , at 60.6 % versus 27.3 % ( p = 0.006 ) . Patients ’ self – ratings improved in both groups . All adverse events were mild or moderate , but five patients ( 14.7 % ) withdrew from the sertraline group . Despite the absence of motor complications , the pramipexole recipients showed improvement on the Unified Parkinson ’s Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) motor subscore . We conclude that dopamine agonists may be an alternative to antidepressants in Parkinson ’s disease
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 .