[Clinical efficacy of citalopram in patients with hypertension and concomitant depression]

Patients (n=28) with mild to moderate hypertension and depression were given enalapril (20 mg/day). If target blood pressure was not achieved in 10 days hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg/day) was added. These patients were randomized into 2 groups in one of which antihypertensive therapy was supplemented with citalopram (20 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Psychological status was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Total BDI score in citalopram group decreased 51% (-12.2+/-1.5; p<0.001). Complete reduction of symptoms of depression (BDI score <19) occurred in 86% of patients. There was no significant lowering of BDI score in control group. STAI score among citalopram treated patients with concomitant anxiety (STAI score >50) decreased from initial 62.9+/-2.1 to 46.3+/-3.1 by week 6 (p<0.001). Only minor changes of STAI score took place in control group. According to data of 24-hour monitoring lowering of systolic blood pressure time indexes was somewhat more pronounced in citalopram group than in control group (24 hour -49.8 and -34.4%, diurnal -56.6 and -42%, nocturnal -37.9 and -23%, respectively).