The Norwegian naturalistic treatment study of depression in general practice (NORDEP)-I: randomised double blind study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of emotional support and counselling combined with placebo or antidepressants with single or dual mechanism of action in the treatment of depression in primary care.


METHODS
Randomised double blind study.


METHODS
Several locations in Norway.


METHODS
372 patients with depression.


METHODS
Improvement (clinical remission) reported both by the patient (Montgomery Asberg depression rating scale) and the physician (clinical global improvement and impression scales).


RESULTS
Intention to treat analyses showed 47% remission in patients randomised to placebo compared with 61% remission in patients randomised to sertraline (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.96) and 54% in patients randomised to mianserin (0.75, 0.44 to 1.27). Women responded better than men (1.86, 1.17 to 2.96). Subgroup analyses showed that subjects with recurrent depression (n=273) responded more frequently to sertraline than to placebo (0.43, 0.23 to 0.82) than those having their first episode of depression (1.18, 0.39 to 3.61). Statistically significant interactions between type of drug treatment and history of depression were not shown by logistic regression.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of active drug and simple psychological treatment (counselling, emotional support, and close follow up over a 24 week period) was more effective than simple psychological treatment alone, in particular for those with recurrent depression. Overall, women may benefit more than men. If confirmed in future studies, the findings should lead to more differentiated treatment guidelines for depression in primary care.
Malt
U F
UF
University of Oslo, Department of Psychosomatic and Behavioural Medicine, National Hospital, N-0027 Oslo, Norway. ulrik.malt@rh.uio.no
Robak
O H
OH
Madsbu
H P
HP
Bakke
O
O
Loeb
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003376:Counseling; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008803:Mianserin; D020280:Sertraline