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Duloxetine in elderly major depression disorder: effectiveness and drug plasma level evaluation
Author(s) -
Rovera Chiara,
Mauri Massimo Carlo,
Bertin Elena,
Di Pace Chiara,
Paletta Silvia,
Reggiori Alessandra,
De Gaspari Ilaria Francesca,
Cattaneo Dario,
Mari Daniela,
Altamura Alfredo Carlo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2544
Subject(s) - duloxetine , hamilton anxiety rating scale , rating scale , beck depression inventory , anxiety , psychology , clinical global impression , depression (economics) , agomelatine , duloxetine hydrochloride , medicine , hamilton rating scale for depression , psychiatry , clinical psychology , major depressive disorder , mood , antidepressant , developmental psychology , alternative medicine , pathology , economics , macroeconomics , placebo
Objective The aim of this open‐label naturalistic study was to assess clinical outcomes and the predictive value of duloxetine plasma levels in major depressive disorder in the elderly. Methods This naturalistic, open‐label design involved 35 outpatients aged between 65 and 87 years. Duloxetine plasma levels were collected in 24 patients after the first month. Patients were evaluated using 21‐item Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression, Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety, the Clinical Global Impression Severity, Mini Mental State Examination, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, Barthel Index and Beck's Depression Inventory. Results Duloxetine plasma levels at T2 ranged from 4.9 to 201.9 ng/mL without a significant correlation between duloxetine dose and plasma levels. A significant improvement in mean 21‐item Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression total scores at T2,T3, T4, T9 and T12 and a progressive significantly decrease of the mean Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety scores from T3 to T12 were observed. Conclusions The levels of duloxetine in plasma do not correlate with a greater clinical improvement, indeed appear to adversely affect the improvement of the Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety. This could be explained by an increase in side effects that may aggravate the discomfort felt by the patient. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.