[Highly dosed St. John's wort extract improves quality of life].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of the post-marketing surveillance was to investigate if the single-dose-administration of highlydosed St. John's Wort extract improves quality of life of patients with depressive symptoms.


METHODS
During a twelve week treatment 4337 patients with depression were observed. Mental and physical state of health were documented using the SF-12-sumscore as a measure for quality of life. Further efficacy and tolerability was rated by physician and patient. Adverse drug reactions were documented as well.


RESULTS
During therapy the mental and the physical SF-12-sumscore had improved significantly. At the end ofthe observation the values rise up to the norm. About 80 percent of the physicians and patients marked the drug's efficacy as good or very good. Tolerability was assessed as good or very good in more than 95%.


CONCLUSIONS
A post-marketing surveillance including 4337 depressive patients shows that a single-dose therapy with highly dosed St. John's Wort extract causes to improve significantly the quality of life. The patients suffered from mild to moderate depression.
Rudolf
G A E
GA
Facharzt für Neurologie und Psychiatrie, Münster. gaerudolf@t-online.de
Zeller
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; C512138:Laif 600; D010936:Plant Extracts