Estrogen therapy for depression in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To look at the modification in depressive mood in postmenopausal depressed women after estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).


METHODS
Twelve depressed patients divided into two groups of six women each were studied. One group received conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg/day; the other did not receive any treatment (control group). Mood was assessed in all the subjects at baseline and at 6 months with Hamilton Rating Scale score and considered as depression when it was > 15. Differences between groups were determined by Mann-Whitney U-test, and in each group between baseline and 6-month values with Wilcoxon test.


RESULTS
The ERT group had a statistically significant decrease in depressive mood (21 vs. 13 points, P < 0.03), while in the control group no significant change was found. Final Hamilton scale scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in those under ERT, when compared with those in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive mood decreased after 6 months with CEE, so the prescription of ERT can be useful in postmenopausal women with depressive mood.
Carranza-Lira
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S
Gynecologic Endocrinology Service, Hospital de Gineco-Obstetricia Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico. scarranzal@mexis.com
Valentino-Figueroa
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ML
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)