[Sertraline in the treatment of post-stroke depression--results of an open multicenter study].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study is to test the tolerability and efficacy of 50 mg Sertralin in the treatment of Post-Stroke depression (PSD).


METHODS
Open-label, 3-months study of in- and outpatients. Evaluation of the 5-Item WHO-Wellbeing Index, the Clinical Global Impression test (CGI) and documentation of the subjective evaluation of tolerability and efficacy by patients and examining doctors.


METHODS
267 out of 287 patients (150 women, 137 men; mean age 68.6 +/- 12.1 years with a range from 27 to 100 years) took part in the study over a 12 months period.


RESULTS
Eight patients had to stop the study because of side-effects. The WHO-Wellbeing Index improved from a baseline value of 26.7 +/- 17.1 to 45.0 +/- 18.3 after 4 weeks (p < 0.001), and to 57.2 +/- 19.5 after 12 weeks (p < 0.001). The CGI after 12 weeks gave evidence of an improvement in 252 patients (88%). No change of PSD was seen in 10 patients (3%), and deterioration of PSD was observed in 5 patients (2%). The duration between onset of treatment and improvement was 13.3 +/- 6 days.


CONCLUSIONS
A single dose of 50 mg Sertralin is well tolerated in patients with PSD. The WHO-Wellbeing Index and the CGI gave evidence of significant improvement of PSD in the majority of examined patients participating in this open-label study.
Zifko
U A
UA
Sonderkrankenanstalt für Neurologie der Rehabilitationsklinik Pirawarth, Arbeitskreises für klinische Forschung in der Neurorehabilitation, Bad Pirawarth.
Rupp
Monika
M
Schwarz
Sigrid
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D020280:Sertraline