Mean platelet volume in patients with major depression: effect of escitalopram treatment.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between major depression and increased platelet activity has been previously indicated by several studies. The aims of this study were to examine mean platelet volume (MPV), which is an indicator of platelet activity, in patients with depression and investigate whether escitalopram treatment would affect MPV.


METHODS
Fifteen patients (11 women and 4 men) meeting the criteria for a current episode of major depressive disorder were recruited to the study and 17 physically and mentally healthy comparison subjects (11 women and 6 men). Mean platelet volume and platelet count of the controls and patients were measured upon entry to the study. After 8 weeks of open-label treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram (10-20 mg/d), the patients with depression were readmitted and the measurements were repeated.


RESULTS
At baseline, in comparison with the control group, the group with depression exhibited greater platelet activity as detected by increased MPV. After escitalopram treatment, the patients with depression exhibited significant reduction in MPV. There was also a significant decline in platelet count.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, normalization of platelet activation is associated with escitalopram treatment for patients with depression. This finding may provide evidence for the use of escitalopram in patients with major depression and comorbid ischemic heart disease.
Ataoglu
Ahmet
A
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey.
Canan
Fatih
F
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D048429:Cell Size; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010976:Platelet Count; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors