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.