Fluvoxamine alone in the treatment of delusional depression.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluvoxamine in the treatment of delusional depression.


METHODS
Fifty-nine inpatients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression with psychotic features were treated with fluvoxamine for 6 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and weekly thereafter with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Dimensions of Delusional Experience rating scale.


RESULTS
Of the 57 subjects completed the trial, 84.2% (N=48) recovered. The index episodes of the patients who did not respond to fluvoxamine were of significantly longer duration than those of the responders.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluvoxamine has a response rate similar to that of the currently most efficacious treatments for delusional depression, including antidepressants plus antipsychotics and ECT.
Gatti
F
F
Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Bellini
L
L
Gasperini
M
M
Perez
J
J
Zanardi
R
R
Smeraldi
E
E
D017668:Age of Onset; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016666:Fluvoxamine