S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for the treatment of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS.
BACKGROUND
This study reports on clinical data from an 8-week open-label study of 20 HIV-seropositive individuals, diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (DSM-IV), who were treated with SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine). SAM-e may be a treatment alternative for the management of depression in a population reluctant to add another "pill" or another set of related side effects to an already complex highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen.


METHODS
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess depressive symptomatology from 1,2,4,6 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment with SAM-e.


RESULTS
Data show a significant acute reduction in depressive symptomatology, as measured by both the HAM-D and the BDI instruments.


CONCLUSIONS
SAM-e has a rapid effect evident as soon as week 1 (p < .001), with progressive decreases in depression symptom rating scores throughout the 8 week study.
Shippy
R Andrew
RA
ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America), 230 West 38th St, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA. ashippy@acria.org
Mendez
Douglas
D
Jones
Kristina
K
Cergnul
Irene
I
Karpiak
Stephen E
SE
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine