Mood effect of raloxifene in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Some experimental and observational data suggest a role of estrogen in depression. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) approved for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Its influence on mood in postmenopausal women has not been fully established. Thus, we investigated the effect of raloxifene on mood.


METHODS
In a randomized double-blind osteoporosis prevention study, the action of raloxifene on mood was assessed in a subgroup of non-depressed postmenopausal women (mean age: 58.9 years) receiving raloxifene 60 mg/day (n=18) or placebo (n=18). The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was applied to evaluate mood 3 and 12 months following treatment.


RESULTS
Baseline HDRS scores were not different among treatment groups. Overall scores decreased from baseline at 3 and 12 months in the raloxifene group (P<or=0.006), but not in the placebo group. Depression and anxiety indexes decreased in the raloxifene group at 3 and 12 months (P<or=0.04); only anxiety index at 12 months decreased in the placebo group (P=0.045).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that raloxifene does not negatively influence mood in non-depressed, younger postmenopausal women. Larger, long-term studies are required to evaluate a possible mood improvement effect of raloxifene.
Jarkova
Natalia B
NB
Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Kashirskoye Shosse 34, Moscow, Russia.
Martenyi
Ferenc
F
Masanauskaite
Daiva
D
Walls
Erin L
EL
Smetnik
Vera P
VP
Pavo
Imre
I
D000284:Administration, Oral; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000523:psychology; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride