FLUVOXAMINE ALONE IN THE TREATMENT OF DELUSIONAL DEPRESSION

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluvo xamine in the treatment of delusional depression. Method: Fifty-nine i npatients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression with psy chotic features were treated with fluvoxamine for 6 weeks. Patients we re assessed at baseline and weekly thereafter with the Hamilton Depres sion Rating Scale and the Dimensions of Delusional Experience rating s cale. Results: Of the 57 subjects who completed the trial, 84.2% (N=48 ) recovered. The inner episodes of the patients who did not respond to fluvoxamine were of significantly longer duration than those of the r esponders. Conclusions: Fluvoxamine has a response rate similar to tha t of the currently most efficacious treatments for delusional depressi on, including antidepressants plus antipsychotics and ECT.