A controlled trial of fluoxetine and desipramine in depressed women with advanced cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of fluoxetine and desipramine in treating depressive symptoms in women with cancer.


METHODS
In this prospective, 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared fluoxetine with desipramine in treating depressive symptoms in 40 women diagnosed with cancer. Scales used to measure efficacy and tolerability were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Clinical and Patient's Global Impression (CGI and PGI) scales, the Functional Living Index for Cancer (FLIC), the Memorial Pain Assessment Card (MPAC), and the SF-36 Health Survey.


RESULTS
Fluoxetine and desipramine treatments improved depression and anxiety symptoms. There was a trend towards significance in improvement of FLIC scores (as evidenced by greater numerical improvements with fluoxetine treatment). Fluoxetine treatment alone was associated with statistically significant improvements in MPAC Mood scale scores. Both treatments showed statistically significant improvements in the quality of life SF-36 scores in Role Emotional, Social Functioning, Mental Health, and Vitality.


CONCLUSIONS
Both fluoxetine and desipramine were effective and well-tolerated in improving depressive symptoms and quality of life in women with advanced cancer. Fluoxetine may offer greater benefit to these patients, as evidenced by greater improvements in fluoxetine-treated patients on several quality of life measures. Our results, while meaningful, should be confirmed in a larger patients sample. However, experience from studies of antidepressant use in patients with advanced cancer has shown that intercurrent disease and treatment variables make it difficult to conduct large studies.
Holland
J C
JC
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
Romano
S J
SJ
Heiligenstein
J H
JH
Tepner
R G
RG
Wilson
M G
MG
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005473:Fluoxetine; D003891:Desipramine