Open trial of fluoxetine in children and adolescents with dysthymic disorder or double depression.
BACKGROUND
Chronic depressions commonly present in youth and cause significant morbidity. No treatment studies in this age group are currently available.


METHODS
19 pediatric subjects with dysthymic disorder or 'double depression' were recruited. After four weeks of psychosocial treatment, subjects failing to improve began open treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg) for eight weeks. Subjects were then reassessed for treatment response.


RESULTS
Fifteen subjects entered the medication phase, and eleven (73%) no longer met criteria for dysthymic disorder or Major Depression at final assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluoxetine shows promise as a safe and effective treatment for youth with chronic depressions. Controlled trials are indicated.


CONCLUSIONS
Open label design, no comparison treatment condition.


CONCLUSIONS
As in adults, treatment with antidepressants may prove to be a useful intervention with children and adolescents with chronic forms of depression.
Waslick
B D
BD
New York State Psychiatric Institute, NY 10032, USA. waslickb@child.cpmc.columbia.edu
Walsh
B T
BT
Greenhill
L L
LL
Eilenberg
M
M
Capasso
L
L
Lieber
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine