SERTRALINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AGONIST THERAPY

Background: Endometriosis is thought to affect 5-10% of reproductive a ge women in the general population and is commonly treated with gonado tropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Recent studies suggest depre ssive symptoms are associated with women treated with GnRH agonist for endometriosis. Methods: A retrospective pilot study of 42 female pati ents, 22 in the treatment group (sertraline) and 20 in the control gro up (no sertraline), was conducted. All subjects had laproscopically di agnosed endometriosis and were treated with 24 weeks of GnRH agonist t herapy. Assessment instruments included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Menopausal Symptom Index. Results: The results indicate that patients receiving concomitant sertraline reported significantly less depressive symptoms, but did not differ significantly in physica l symptoms, than the group receiving a GnRH agonist alone. Conclusions : Antidepressants, such as sertraline, appear to be significantly help ful in the treatment of mood symptoms during the course of GnRH agonis t therapy. (C) 1998 Society of Biological Psychiatry.