title: Prediction of the amitriptyline response: psychopathology versus neuroendocrinology.
abstract: In this prediction study 50 patients with DSM-III major depressive episode were assessed before treatment with respect to symptomatology (Newcastle and Hamilton features), diagnostic sub-types (according to the Newcastle scale and the DSM-III) and neuroendocrinology (DST and TRH-test). Subjects were given 150 mg of amitriptyline daily and the treatment response was determined on day 11 and 21. The duration of hospitalization served as a further criterion of outcome. The data suggest that neither diagnostic sub-typing nor neuroendocrinological variables were significantly related to outcome. Prediction, however, became possible using the following clinical parameters: DSM-III depressive psychotic features, DSM-III personality disorder and sudden onset of illness were significantly associated with poor treatment response and explained 34% of the outcome variance.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013972:Thyrotropin