A randomized trial of citalopram versus placebo in outpatients with asthma and major depressive disorder: a proof of concept study.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of asthma has increased in recent years and depression is common in this population. Minimal data are available on the treatment of depressed asthma patients.


METHODS
Ninety adults with asthma and current major depressive disorder were randomized to receive citalopram or placebo for 12 weeks. At each visit, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self-Report, Asthma Control Questionnaire, and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire were administered, and oral corticosteroid use assessed.


RESULTS
In the evaluable sample (n = 82), the primary outcome, a random regression analysis of HRSD scores, revealed no significant between-group differences. Bonferroni corrected secondary outcomes revealed HRSD scores decreased significantly in both groups with a significantly greater decrease in the citalopram group at week 6. Changes in asthma symptoms were similar between groups. The groups had similar rates of oral corticosteroid use at baseline, but the citalopram group had less corticosteroid use during the study. Changes in asthma symptom severity correlated with changes in depressive symptom severity.


CONCLUSIONS
A reduction in depressive symptoms was associated with improvement in asthma. Corticosteroid use, an important measure of severe asthma exacerbations, was lower in the citalopram group. Larger clinical trials in this population are warranted.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-8849. Sherwood.Brown@UTSouthwestern.edu
E Sherwood
ES
Brown
Luis
L
Vigil
David A
DA
Khan
Joshua D M
JD
Liggin
Thomas J
TJ
Carmody
A John
AJ
Rush
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram