[Is interpersonal psychotherapy a woman specific method? Results of a randomized controlled study]

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is considered by different authors to be a women specific therapy. If women gain more from IPT than men is not yet clear. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 124 hospitalized patients with a DSM IV diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder comparing 5 weeks of IPT plus medication versus medication plus Clinical Management. Pretreatment, role transitions in the family (e. g. due to motherhood) as the main problem area associated with depression were significantly more present in women whereas men described more professional changes as the main focus of depression. In addition, men had more alcohol abuse and interpersonal problems compared to women. Independent from the form of therapy, men responded faster to inpatient depression treatment. Contrary to the widespread assumption that women profit more from IPT, men in the combination treatment group revealed higher remission rates at discharge, whereas all other efficacy measures were comparable.