Sertraline in the treatment of depression associated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy.
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is thought to affect 5-10% of reproductive age women in the general population and is commonly treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Recent studies suggest depressive symptoms are associated with women treated with GnRH agonist for endometriosis.


METHODS
A retrospective pilot study of 42 female patients, 22 in the treatment group (sertraline) and 20 in the control group (no sertraline), was conducted. All subjects had laproscopically diagnosed endometriosis and were treated with 24 weeks of GnRH agonist therapy. Assessment instruments included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Menopausal Symptom Index.


RESULTS
The results indicate that patients receiving concomitant sertraline reported significantly less depressive symptoms, but did not differ significantly in physical symptoms than the group receiving a GnRH agonist alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Antidepressants, such as sertraline, appear to be significantly helpful in the treatment of mood symptoms during the course of GnRH agonist therapy.
Warnock
J K
JK
University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, USA.
Bundren
J C
JC
Morris
D W
DW
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020280:Sertraline
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D016729:Leuprolide; D020280:Sertraline