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[Effectiveness of antidepressants. Implications of two meta-analyses for clinical practice]
1Opleiding Psychiatrie, Postbus 47.077, 1070 BB Amsterdam. s.thio@ggzingeest.nl
Background:
Following reports of new scientific research there are frequently discussions in the media about the effectiveness of antidepressants.
Aim:
To find out whether recently published meta-analyses about the effectiveness of antidepressants have consequences for clinical practice.
Method:
Two recent meta-analyses which investigated the effectiveness of antidepressants are discussed. results The two studies were conducted along similar lines using similar methods. Both meta-analyses concluded that antidepressants are effective in the more serious type of depressive disorders. They are less effective in mild depressive disorders.
Conclusion:
On the basis of these two meta-analyses it was concluded that antidepressants should be prescribed solely for patients with severe depressive disorders.
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