title: Randomized study of sertraline and low-dose amitriptyline in patients with Parkinson's disease and depression: effect on quality of life.
abstract: We assessed the effect of 3-month treatment of sertraline (50 mg) or low-dose amitriptyline (25 mg) on depression and quality of life in 31 patients with Parkinson's disease in a prospective single-blind randomized study. Both drugs significantly reduced the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) score. Completion rate was 75% for sertraline (12 of 16) and 73% for amitriptyline (11 of 15). Responder rate (HDRS-17 score reduction >/= 50%) was 83.3% for sertraline and 72.7% for amitriptyline. Sertraline but not amitriptyline treatment determined a significant benefit on quality of life (PDQ-39 scale). We found no change in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores. However, the improvement in specific PDQ-39 subscores (mobility, activities of daily living, and stigma) suggests that depression affects patient self-perception of motor function and further emphasizes the need for its treatment.
authors.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonini
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tesei
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zecchinelli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Gaspari
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canesi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacilotto
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meucci
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzoli
mesh_terms: D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline