ARE THERE DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS OF FLUOXETINE IN RETARDED BLUNTED AFFECT VERSUS AGITATED/ANXIOUS DEPRESSIVES - A CLINICAL-STUDY/

Background: Clinical selectivity of antidepressants with pharmacologic al specificity still remains under debate. Method: In the open trial p resented below, the effects of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin re-up take inhibitor (SSRI), were compared across two groups of depressive i npatients contrasted on their symptomatological expression (agitated/a nxious versus retarded/blunted affect). Sixteen patients (8 in each gr oups) were included in the 4-weeks treatment period and submitted to a weekly-based evaluation. Global depression, retardation, emotional bl unting, agitation, anxiety and mood profile were assessed. Results: Si gnificant improvements of the HDRS and MADRS scores were observed in b oth groups. Although no group x treatment interaction was found on the global scores of depression, a differential effect according to the g roup was observed on anxiety, agitation, irritability and emotional la bility. Discussion: These preliminary results support the hypothesis t hat the effect of fluoxetine on positive clinical dimensions could lea d to a differential effect in patients with agitation/anxiety when com pared with patients with retardation/blunted affect.