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To request full article click here. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in very old patients with Parkinsons disease and major depression. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, open-label, prospective study. SETTING: Two skilled nursing facilities. PATIENTS: Twelve patients, 5 with idiopathic Parkinsons disease and 7 with secondary Parkinsons syndrome. INTERVENTION: Twelve-week course of fluoxetine 20 mg, sertraline 75-100 mg, or paroxetine 20 mg per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression was rated clinically by using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV as well as the first 17 items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The Folstein Mini Mental Status Examination was used to diagnose dementia. A modified Hachinski Scale was used to diagnose vascular dementia. RESULTS: The mean reduction in the Hamilton depression score for the entire group was 33%. A 50% reduction in the Hamilton depression score was achieved in two of five patients with idiopathic Parkinsons disease and in one of seven patients with secondary Parkinsons syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Response to treatment was poor in patients whose Parkinsons disease and depression were complicated by dementia and cerebrovascular insufficiency. J Pharm Technol 1998;14:110-15. To request full article click here. |
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