[Post-stroke depression: an experience in using cipramil]

Fifteen patients, 12 males, 3 females, aged 59.6 +/- 9.6 years, with depression after stroke, occurred 9 months--1 year and 3 months before, were treated with cipramil in dose 20 mg/day during 2.5 months. Control group comprised 10 patients matched for demographic and clinical characteristics and been not assigned to cipramil. All patients were fully examined by clinical methods, including computer tomography. Besides, for patient's state evaluation, Hamilton rating scale for depression and Lindmark scale for focal neurologic deficit measuring have been administered. The initial scores on these scales were 22.8 +/- 4.5 and 381.4 +/- 33.4 in the basic group and--22.2 +/- 6.3 and 390.6 +/- 29.8 in the controls, respectively. While cipramil using, an improvement was observed rather quickly--after 2-3 weeks, being stable during the whole treatment course. After treatment finishing, depression scores on Hamilton scale decreased to 15.8 +/- 5.2 (p < 0.001) in the basic group and did not change in the control one. The neurological deficit expression has not been changed. Side effects were mildly expressed in 20% of the patients. In one-third of the patients, antidepressant effect diminished in 1.5 months after treatment finishing. A need for longer antidepressant treatment of post stroke patients is discussed.