Efficacy of citalopram in the prevention of recurrent depression in elderly patients: placebo-controlled study of maintenance therapy.
BACKGROUND
The highly recurrent nature of major depression in the young and the elderly warrants long-term antidepressant treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the prophylactic efficacy of citalopram and placebo in elderly patients; to evaluate long-term tolerability of citalopram.


METHODS
Out-patients, > or =65 years, with unipolar major depression (DSM-IV: 296.2 x or 296.3 x) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score > or =22 were treated with citalopram 20-40 mg for 8 weeks. Responders continued on their final fixed dose of citalopram for 16 weeks before randomisation to double-blind treatment with citalopram or placebo for at least 48 weeks.


RESULTS
Nineteen of the 60 patients using citalopram v. 41 of the 61 patients using placebo had recurrence. Time to recurrence was significantly different between citalopram- and placebo-patients, in favour of citalopram (log-rank test, P<0.0001). Long-term treatment was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term treatment with citalopram is effective in preventing recurrence of depression in the elderly and is well tolerated.
Klysner
René
R
Psychiatric Research Clinic, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark. International Clinical Research, H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark.
Bent-Hansen
Jesper
J
Hansen
Hanne L
HL
Lunde
Marianne
M
Pleidrup
Elisabeth
E
Poulsen
Dorte Loldrup
DL
Andersen
Marc
M
Petersen
Hans Erik Høpfner
HE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors