title: Paroxetine in the treatment of dysthymic disorder without co-morbidities: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose study.
abstract: Few published studies have evaluated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in dysthymia without current co-morbid major depression. In this 12-week study, 40 dysthymic patients were randomly assigned to either placebo (n=19) or 20-40 mg/day of paroxetine (n=21). At endpoint, the paroxetine group showed significantly greater improvement on the Clinical Global Impression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (p<0.05), and a trend to superiority over placebo on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Response and remission were significantly higher with paroxetine than placebo (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in drop out rates or frequency of adverse effects, except for excessive sweating (greater with paroxetine, p=0.04). Reporting of multiple side effects was also higher with paroxetine than with placebo (p=0.02). Paroxetine is more effective than placebo in improving symptoms and quality of life in dysthymia, and is generally tolerable.
authors: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Stokes St., Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada. arun.ravindran@camh.ca
authors: Arun V
authors: AV
authors: Ravindran
authors: Colin
authors: C
authors: Cameron
authors: Raj
authors: R
authors: Bhatla
authors: Lakshmi N
authors: LN
authors: Ravindran
authors: Tricia L
authors: TL
authors: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors