title: Effects of fluoxetine and melatonin on mood, sleep quality and body mass index in postmenopausal women.
abstract: Frequent mood and sleep disorders and increased appetite leading to obesity are observed in postmenopausal women. Due to the limitations of hormone replacement therapy the researchers look for other treatment regimes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluoxetine and melatonin in the treatment of these disorders. The study included 64 overweight postmenopausal women, aged 54 - 65 years, with increased appetite. They were randomly assigned in 2 groups. In group I (n = 30) fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and placebo (in the evening) were administered for 24 weeks. Group II (n = 34) received fluoxetine (20 mg in the morning) and melatonin (5 mg in the evening) in the same period of time. Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS), Beck depression scale (BDI), the insomnia severity index (ISI) and body mass index (BMI) were used to assess the health status and the treatment efficacy. After 24 weeks, comparable and statistically significant reduction in the level of anxiety and depression was obtained in both groups. In group I, the ISI decreased from 14.9 ± 2.5 points to 10.9 ± 1.9 points (P < 0.05) and in group II from 15.8 ± 2.4 points to 7.7 ± 1.5 points (P < 0.001). In group I no reduction in BMI was achieved whereas in group II this index decreased from 30.9 ± 3.1 to 26.3 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05). We conclude that combined administration of fluoxetine and melatonin was useful option to treat mood, sleep and appetite disorders in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics Medical University of Lodz, Poland. cezary.chojnacki@umed.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chojnacki
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walecka-Kapica
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klupinska
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pawlowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blonska
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chojnacki
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy; D017698:Postmenopause; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D008550:Melatonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors