title: The association between naltrexone treatment and symptoms of depression in opioid-dependent patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the change in total symptoms, and symptom clusters, of depression in newly abstinent opioid-dependent individuals being treated with depot naltrexone (Depotrex; Biotek, Inc., Wellesley, MA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a series of opioid-dependent patients (N = 34) treated with naltrexone maintenance and relapse prevention therapy, mood was assessed with a 17-item Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Scale and subscale scores at baseline, and after naltrexone induction at 2- and 4-week post-baseline. Data were analyzed using generalized estimated equation (GEE) models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients demonstrated high baseline affective burden and significant improvement of depression scores over a 4-week period post-baseline (F(2.66) = 8.88; p = .0004). Somatic and cognitive-affective subscale scores significantly declined as well as the seven individual item scores. By contrast, the "late insomnia" item score significantly increased at 2 weeks post-baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Naltrexone induction and maintenance in newly abstinent opioid-dependent individuals does not appear to be associated with worsening of depression; however, it may be associated with sleep impairment early in treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. dmysels@challiance.org
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mysels
authors.forename: Wendy Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Edward V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone