A comparison of antidepressant response in younger and older women.
The objective of this report is to compare antidepressant response rates and tolerability in younger and older women. One hundred fifteen female outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, nefazodone, or venlafaxine. The sample was divided into younger and older groups based on age to approximate premenopausal and postmenopausal status. Eighty-six age-matched male outpatients formed the comparison group. Younger women compared with older women had significantly lower Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment and achieved significant higher rates of remission. There were no differences in overall drug tolerability. This pattern was not replicated in the male patients. Younger women with depression are more responsive to serotonergic antidepressants. This may relate to changes in menstrual status. Limitations of the study and implications for the role of female sex hormones are discussed. Future investigations should include measurement of reproductive hormone levels.
Grigoriadis
Sophie
S
University Health Network, EN8-229, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C4. sophie.grigoriadis@uhn.on.ca
Kennedy
Sidney H
SH
Bagby
R Michael
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D010879:Piperazines; D014230:Triazoles; C051752:nefazodone; D020280:Sertraline