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Published on: March 2, 2015
Increased frequency of first-episode poststroke depression after discontinuation of escitalopram
Katsunaka Mikami1, Ricardo E Jorge, David J Moser
1Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. robert-robinson@uiowa.edu
Background And Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare escitalopram, problem-solving therapy, and placebo to prevent poststroke depression during 6 months after discontinuation of treatment.
Methods:
We examined for depression 33 patients assigned to placebo, 34 to escitalopram, and 41 to problem-solving therapy.
Results:
After controlling for age, gender, prior mood disorder, and severity of stroke, new-onset major depression and Hamilton Depression scores were significantly higher 6 months after escitalopram was discontinued compared with the problem-solving therapy or placebo groups.
Conclusions:
Discontinuation of escitalopram may increase poststroke depressive symptoms.
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