Outcome of different types of long-term antidepressant treatments: a 3-year follow-up study of 14182 patients.
BACKGROUND
Antidepressant efficacy studies are rare in large populations for prolonged periods.


METHODS
The efficacy of antidepressants was investigated by using disability pensions due to major affective disorders as the efficacy variable from a large Finnish population (n = 14182) during a 3-year follow-up.


RESULTS
Of all males, 345 (6.0%) were receiving disability pension due to major affective disorder, and of all females, 498 (5.9%). A logistic regression analysis showed a significantly higher risk (age-adjusted ORs, 1.42-4.09) for disability pension in every antidepressant group except the amitriptyline group when compared with fluoxetine group. Those who used a combination of antidepressive agents (age-adjusted OR 4.09) or moclobemide (age-adjusted OR 2.18) had the highest risks.


CONCLUSIONS
In the study population fluoxetine and amitriptyline were the most efficient antidepressants in the long-term treatment of depression.
Räsänen
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Finland. pirkko.rasanen@oulu.fi
Hakko
H
H
Jokelainen
J
J
Tiihonen
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D000639:Amitriptyline