title: Effect of augmentation with olanzapine in outpatients with depression in partial remission with melancholic features: consecutive case series.
abstract: The aim of the present 12-week, open-label study was to investigate the effect of olanzapine augmentation in outpatients with depression with melancholic features who demonstrated partial response to standard antidepressants but who were reluctant to change antidepressants. The subjects consisted of 22 outpatients meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for major depression. Olanzapine was initially added at 2.5 mg/day and the dose was adjusted according to the clinical condition. Data were analyzed using an intention-to-treat methodology. A paired t-test was used to compare total Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores before treatment, at baseline (prior to olanzapine), and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after starting olanzapine. Of 22 enrolled patients, 20 completed the trial. The mean (±SD) MADRS score was 17.1 ± 1.0 at baseline and decreased significantly to 8.1 ± 3.2 at 4 weeks after the administration of olanzapine. This significant reduction continued until 12 weeks, when the mean MADRS score was 4.9 ± 2.9, indicating full remission. These results suggest that olanzapine augmentation may be useful for patients with depression in partial remission. A controlled, double-blind trial, however, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yamamoto-kumiai General Hospital, Noshiro, Akita, Japan. qybbf457@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nozawa
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sekine
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hozumi
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010045:Outpatients; D012074:Remission Induction; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors