The effect of nicotine patch therapy on depression in nonsmokers: a preliminary study.
Prior uncontrolled studies of nonsmokers with major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate rapid reduction in depressive symptoms with nicotine patch therapy. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study examined the effect of nicotine patch therapy on depressive symptoms in non-medicated nonsmokers with current MDD. Due to recruitment difficulties, only 7 were enrolled and of these 6 (5 females, 1 male) completed the study. Participants received either placebo (n = 4) or active (n = 2) patch therapy for 8 days. They completed daily clinic visits during patch therapy and a final visit on Day 12. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). The mean change in HRSD scores of all participants decreased (p = 0.021) from baseline by Day 1 of patch use. Similar decreases in HRSD scores were observed for placebo and active patch groups. Among the placebo participants, the mean HRSD score decreased (p = 0.038) by Day 2. The study needs replication with a larger sample and utilizing novel recruitment strategies.
Cox
Lisa Sanderson
LS
Nicotine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Patten
Christi A
CA
Krahn
Lois E
LE
Hurt
Richard D
RD
Croghan
Ivana T
IT
Wolter
Troy D
TD
Schroeder
Darrell R
DR
Tri
Diane
D
Offord
Kenneth P
KP
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012907:Smoking; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009538:Nicotine