Escitalopram in the long-term treatment of major depressive disorder in elderly patients.

Author(s): Kasper S, Lemming OM, de Swart H

Affiliation(s): Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. sci-genpsy@meduniwien.ac.at

Publication date & source: 2006, Neuropsychobiology., 54(3):152-9. Epub 2007 Jan 17.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

AIM: The primary aim was to investigate the long-term safety and tolerability of escitalopram (10 or 20 mg/day) treatment of elderly patients suffering from major depressive disorder. The secondary aim was to examine response to treatment, as measured by change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from study entry to each visit, using observed cases. METHOD: This extension trial included 225 patients who had completed an 8-week, double blind, placebo-controlled lead-in study, which was performed in outpatients in primary care and in specialist clinics. The intent-to-treat population comprised 223 patients. RESULTS: The overall withdrawal rate was 24%. The most common reason for withdrawal was adverse events (9%). The 5 most common adverse events were accidental injury, rhinitis, weight increase, arthralgia and coughing, with an incidence ranging from 8 to 13%. No new types of adverse events were reported in this extension study compared to the 8-week lead-in study. The mean weight increased from 69.7 kg at study entry to 70.3 kg at endpoint. The percentage of patients in remission (MADRS total score < or = 12) increased from 48% at study entry to 72% by week 52. CONCLUSION: Escitalopram demonstrated a favourable tolerability profile during 52 weeks of open-label treatment of elderly patients, with further improvement in depressive symptoms. 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel