Outcome of late-life depression after 3 years of sequential treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To study the outcome of a sequential treatment protocol in elderly, severely depressed in-patients.


METHODS
All 81 patients from a 12-week double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing venlafaxine with nortriptyline were asked to participate in a 3 year follow-up study. Thirty-two patients who did not achieve remission during the RCT, entered an open sequential treatment protocol and were treated with augmentation with lithium, switch to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or ECT.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight of the 81 patients (96.3%) achieved a response [> or = 50% reduction in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale score) and 68 patients (84%) a complete remission (final MADRS score < or = 10) within 3 years of treatment. Greater severity and longer duration of the depressive episode at baseline predicted poor recovery. Augmentation with lithium may be the best treatment option in treatment resistant depressed elderly. Only few patients dropped-out due to side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates the importance of persisting with antidepressant treatment in elderly patients who do not respond to the first or second treatment.
Kok
R M
RM
Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands. r.kok@parnassia.nl
Nolen
W A
WA
Heeren
T J
TJ
D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D009661:Nortriptyline