Randomized study of sertraline and low-dose amitriptyline in patients with Parkinson's disease and depression: Effect on quality of life

✍ Scribed by Angelo Antonini; Silvana Tesei; Anna Zecchinelli; Paolo Barone; Danilo De Gaspari; Margherita Canesi; Giorgio Sacilotto; Nicoletta Meucci; Claudio Mariani; Gianni Pezzoli

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 74 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-3185
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.20895

✦ Synopsis

We assessed the effect of 3-month treatment of sertraline (50 mg) or low-dose amitriptyline (25 mg) on depression and quality of life in 31 patients with Parkinson's disease in a prospective single-blind randomized study. Both drugs significantly reduced the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) score. Completion rate was 75% for sertraline (12 of 16) and 73% for amitriptyline (11 of 15). Responder rate (HDRS-17 score reduction >/= 50%) was 83.3% for sertraline and 72.7% for amitriptyline. Sertraline but not amitriptyline treatment determined a significant benefit on quality of life (PDQ-39 scale). We found no change in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores. However, the improvement in specific PDQ-39 subscores (mobility, activities of daily living, and stigma) suggests that depression affects patient self-perception of motor function and further emphasizes the need for its treatment.