A randomized double-blind study of fluoxetine versus placebo in the treatment of dysthymia.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of fluoxetine, a selective serotonergic antidepressant, in the treatment of dysthymia.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients who met criteria for dysthymia, but not major depression, began randomized, double-blind 8-week trials of fluoxetine or placebo.


RESULTS
Of 32 patients who completed the study, 10 (62.5%) of the 16 patients given fluoxetine and three (18.8%) of the 16 given placebo responded to treatment. Response was defined as 1) 50% or greater decrease in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score and 2) a score of 1 or 2 on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement subscale. Fluoxetine subjects showed significantly greater improvement at week 8 than placebo subjects on the Hamilton depression and CGI scales, but not on the Hopkins Symptom Check-list (58-item) or the Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared to placebo, fluoxetine showed short-term effectiveness in treating dysthymic symptoms.
Hellerstein
D J
DJ
Psychiatric Outpatient Service, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003.
Yanowitch
P
P
Rosenthal
J
J
Samstag
L W
LW
Maurer
M
M
Kasch
K
K
Burrows
L
L
Poster
M
M
Cantillon
M
M
Winston
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D010919:Placebos; D005473:Fluoxetine