Long-term response to successful acute pharmacological treatment of psychotic depression.
BACKGROUND
Data about follow-up after acute pharmacological treatment of psychotic depression are scarce.


METHODS
A 4 month open follow-up was done, preferentially with same medication as during acute treatment, of patients (n=59) with DSM-IV-TR major depressive disorder with psychotic features, aged 18 to 65 years, who had completed as responders an acute double-blind 7 week trial with imipramine, venlafaxine or venlafaxine plus quetiapine. Main outcome measures were Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Clinical Global Impression Scale.


RESULTS
Six patients dropped out during the 4 month follow-up. Almost all patients (86.4%; 51/59) remained responder while remission rate increased from 59.3% (35/59) to 86.8% (46/53), independent of treatment. Relapse rate was low (3.8%; 2/53). Tolerability was good. Weight increased with all treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Limitations were the limited sample size and consequent limited statistical power. The treatment during follow-up was not double-blind.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuation treatment with the same medication that was effective in the acute treatment trial, remained effective during the 4 month follow-up in many patients leading to further improvement, and was well tolerated.
Wijkstra
Jaap
J
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.wijkstra@umcutrecht.nl
Burger
Huibert
H
van den Broek
Walter W
WW
Birkenhäger
Tom K
TK
Janzing
Joost G E
JG
Boks
Marco P M
MP
Bruijn
Jan A
JA
van der Loos
Marc L M
ML
Breteler
Leonie M T
LM
Verkes
Robbert J
RJ
Nolen
Willem A
WA
D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D007099:Imipramine