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Citalopram may reduce sympathoadrenal hyperactivity in elderly depressed patients: an open multicenter study in

Juan Tecco1, José Monreal, Luc Staner

  • 1CHUPMB, Mons, Belgium. juan.tecco@hap.be

Psychiatria Danubina
|September 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Citalopram treatment in elderly patients with depression led to a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and heart rate. This suggests a potential reduction in cardiovascular risks associated with depression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Sympathoadrenal hyperactivity contributes to cardiovascular diseases in elderly depressed patients.
  • Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression.
  • Elderly individuals with depression are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the cardiovascular effects of Citalopram in elderly depressed patients.
  • To evaluate the impact of Citalopram on blood pressure and heart rate in this population.
  • To investigate the potential of Citalopram in mitigating cardiovascular risks linked to depression.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from an open, multicenter study involving 811 elderly patients.
  • Monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate alongside efficacy and safety assessments.
  • Clinical assessments included Hamilton Rating Depression Scale and UKU Side effect rating scale.

Main Results:

  • Citalopram significantly improved the clinical condition of elderly patients with depressive symptoms.
  • A sustained decrease in systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and heart rate was observed.
  • These cardiovascular effects were noted in both responding and non-responding patients.

Conclusions:

  • Citalopram demonstrated a slight but significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate.
  • These findings suggest Citalopram may reduce sympathoadrenal hyperactivity.
  • This reduction may lower the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with depression in the elderly.
Abstract

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