Sertraline hydrochloride treatment for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with depression: a randomized controlled trial

Background There is a lack of randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of pharmacological treatments in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) complicated with moderate or severe depression. Aims To assess the efficacy of sertraline hydrochloride on improving the quality of life of patients with stable COPD complicated with depression. Methods This randomized controlled trial, conducted from M ay to N ovember 2013 in the H uai'an S econd H ospital, H uai'an, C hina, enrolled 120 patients with stable COPD who had moderate or severe depression. Patients were randomly assigned to control and interventional groups ( n  = 60 in each group). In addition to the treatment for COPD , interventional group also received sertraline hydrochloride tablets 50 mg/day for 6 weeks, while the control group received placebo. The primary end point included COPD assessment test ( CAT ) scores and the secondary endpoint included 6‐min walk distance and 17‐item H amilton D epression R ating S cale ( HAMD ‐17) scores. Parameters of spirometry and adverse events were also observed. Results There was no significant difference in improvements in the parameters of spirometry tests before and after the treatment with sertraline hydrochloride tablets between the placebo and interventional groups ( P  > 0.05). Patients in the sertraline hydrochloride group showed more changes in the HAMD ‐17 scores and CAT scores after treatment ( P  < 0.05) and travelled longer distances in the 6‐min walk test than in the placebo group ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion Antidepressant treatment can improve the quality of life and exercise capacity of patients with depression, and it can also improve depression scores, but not lung function.