title: Treatment of subsyndromal depressive symptoms in middle-age and older patients with schizophrenia: effect of age on response.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors hypothesized that age would moderate the response of patients with schizophrenia and subsyndromal depression (SSD) treated citalopram with depressive symptoms and other outcomes. Also, older patients would exhibit more side effects with citalopram.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants of 40 years or older had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with SSD. Patients randomly received flexible dosing of citalopram or placebo augmentation of their antipsychotic medication. Linear regression determined whether age had any moderating effect on depressive symptoms, global psychopathology, negative symptoms, mental functioning, and quality of life. Age-related side effects were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant drug group by age interaction in depressive or psychotic symptoms, mental Short Form-12, or quality of life scores. Similarly, there were few age-related side effect differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms in younger and older patients with schizophrenia and SSD treated with citalopram seem to respond similarly. Adverse events do not seem to differ with age.
authors.affiliation: VA Pittsburgh Health Care System MIRECC and Behavioral Health Service, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. kasckowjw@upmc.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasckow
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fellows
authors.forename: Shahrokh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Golshan
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Solorzano
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meeks
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zisook
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D015283:Citalopram
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