Dose escalation for insufficient response to standard-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in major depressive disorder: systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently used for major depressive disorder, only 50-60% of patients respond to a standard dose. For non-responders, dose escalation is often applied.


OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the evidence for dose escalation of SSRIs.


METHODS
A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycInfo was performed. Randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses investigating dose escalation of SSRIs were identified. Relevant articles were retrieved and critically appraised. Results were summarised in an evidence table. Pooling was not justified because of heterogeneity of the identified studies.


RESULTS
Eight true dose-escalation studies and three meta-analyses were identified. The available data provided no unequivocal base for dose escalation. Dose escalation before 4 weeks of treatment at a standard dose appeared to be ineffective.


CONCLUSIONS
Dose escalation of SSRIs is equivocally supported by evidence of randomised controlled trials; methodological difficulties in the studies may account for this lack of evidence.
Ruhé
Henricus G
HG
c/o Mrs M. Haages, Out-patient Department of Psychiatry A3-255.1, Academic Medical Centre, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. H.G.Ruhe@amc.uva.nl
Huyser
Jochanan
J
Swinkels
Jan A
JA
Schene
Aart H
AH
D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors