[A double-blind comparative study of the effectiveness and tolerance of paroxetine and amitriptyline in treatment of breast cancer patients with clinically assessed depression].
OBJECTIVE
In this double-blind, non-placebo controlled study [corrected], 179 patients with treated breast cancer who fulfilled the ICD-10 criteria for an acute depressive episode underwent an 8-week course of antidepressant treatment with either the tricyclic amitriptyline (75-150 mg, n = 87) or the serotonin-reuptake inhibitor paroxetine (20-40 mg, n = 88).


METHODS
The change in clinical status relative to baseline was measured with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC) and the Patient Global Evaluation.


RESULTS
Both treatment groups showed significant improvement in all parameters at weeks 3, 5 and 8. At no time was there a significant difference in the efficacy of the antidepressants used. Adverse events, most of which were transitory, were reported by 53% of the patients in the paroxetine group and 60% in the amitriptyline group. The 8-week treatment was completed by 81% of the paroxetine and 76% of the amitriptyline patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that depression in breast-cancer patients can be correctly diagnosed and adequately treated by non-psychiatrists. The treatment with both medications was carried out in dose ranges which correspond to that employed in physically well patients.
Möslinger-Gehmayr
R
R
AKH Wien.
Zaninelli
R
R
Contu
A
A
Oberhoff
C
C
Gutschow
K
K
Schindler
A E
AE
Staab
H J
HJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012803:Sick Role
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline; D017374:Paroxetine