Paroxetine in the treatment of dysthymic disorder without co-morbidities: A
double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose study.
Author(s): Ravindran AV(1), Cameron C, Bhatla R, Ravindran LN, da Silva TL.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Stokes St., Toronto, ON M6J 1H4,
Canada. arun.ravindran@camh.ca
Publication date & source: 2013, Asian J Psychiatr. , 6(2):157-61
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.
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