Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with duloxetine: an open-label study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of duloxetine in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).


METHODS
26 SAD patients were treated with open-label duloxetine 60-120 mg per day over 8 weeks. Ratings included the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (SAD version; SIGH-SAD) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). To estimate treatment effects on social functioning in SAD we employed the Social Adaptation Self Evaluation Scale (SASS), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and assessments of days lost due to illness and days with reduction in productivity.


RESULTS
Duloxetine led to a significant improvement (p<0.001) of SIGH-SAD, CGI severity, SASS, and SDS scores. Days lost due to illness and days with reduction in productivity were significantly diminished during treatment (p<0.001). Treatment with duloxetine over 8 weeks yielded a response rate (SIGH-SAD<50% of baseline value) of 80.8% and a remission rate (SIGH-SAD<8) of 76.9% in the intention to treat sample. The drop-out rate due to side effects was 15.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results indicate that duloxetine might be effective and able to ameliorate the negative social consequences of SAD.
Pjrek
E
E
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. edda.pjrek@meduniwien.ac.at
Willeit
M
M
Praschak-Rieder
N
N
Konstantinidis
A
A
Semlitsch
H V
HV
Kasper
S
S
Winkler
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride