PARATOXETINE IN THE TREATMENT OF GERIATRI C DEPRESSED-PATIENTS - A DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON WITH FLUOXETINE

A 6-week double-blind, parallel group study compared paroxetine and fl uoxetine in 106 depressed geriatric inpatients (aged 65 to 85 years). Patients presenting acutely with major depressive episode DSM-III-R 29 6.2 (HAMD > 18 on 21 item scale) were randomized to receive paroxetine (20-40 mg, n 54) or fluoxetine (20-60 mg, n = 52) following a 3 -7 da y washout. Primary criteria was the reduction of Hamilton Depression R ating Scale Score (HAMD). Furthermore Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rat ing Scale (MADRS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) were used. Cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini-Mental-State Exa mination (MMSE) and the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric Scale (SC AG). The results showed a comparable reduction in the depression ratin g scales between the two treatment groups after 6 weeks. However, ther e was a statistically significant difference (p < 0,05) in HAMD, MADRS , SCAG, MMSE and cognitive subscales of HAMD and SCAG at week 3 in fav our of paroxetine, which even was seen after 6 weeks in the SCAG. Ther e were no significant differences between the treatment groups and the number of adverse events reported or in overall tolerability.