title: Older community residents with depression: long-term treatment with sertraline. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite a growing use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in older people, only one trial has examined their prophylactic efficacy in people aged 65 years and over.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the efficacy of sertraline in preventing the recurrence of depression in older people living in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were openly treated with sertraline and then randomised into a double-blind, placebo-controlled continuation/maintenance study of about 2 years duration. Drug dosage was maintained at levels that achieved remission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference between the sertraline and placebo groups was found in the proportion of recurrences (-7.9%; 95% CI -28.06 to 12.23). Increased age and minor residual symptoms during the continuation phase were associated with recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sertraline at therapeutic dosage does not provide significant protection against recurrence.
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, UK. kw500505@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: K C M
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Mottram
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ashworth
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Abou-Saleh
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020280:Sertraline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D020280:Sertraline