Double-blind controlled trial of sertraline versus paroxetine in the treatment of delusional depression.
OBJECTIVE
In this study the authors evaluated the efficacy and the tolerability of sertraline and paroxetine in the treatment of delusional depression.


METHODS
Under double-blind conditions, 46 hospitalized patients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression with psychotic features were treated with sertraline or paroxetine for 6 weeks.


RESULTS
The response rates were 75% and 46% for sertraline and paroxetine, respectively. The dropout rate was substantial (41%) in the paroxetine group and was attributable to side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors administered alone are useful in the treatment of delusional depression.
Zanardi
R
R
Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
Franchini
L
L
Gasperini
M
M
Perez
J
J
Smeraldi
E
E
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline