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Published on: January 7, 2019
Antidepressant Augmentation versus Switch in Treatment-Resistant Geriatric Depression.
Eric J Lenze1, Benoit H Mulsant1, Steven P Roose1
1From the Department of Psychiatry (E.J.L., P.C., T.R.G., E.L., G.E.N., V.T.P., L.Y.) and the Division of Biostatistics (J.P.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; the Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (B.H.M., D.M.B., A.J.F.), the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (B.H.M., D.M.B.), and the Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network (A.J.F.) - all in Toronto; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute - both in New York (S.P.R., P.J.B.); the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles (H.L., H.A.O.); University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh (C.F.R., M.A.G., B.L.R.); and the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson (J.F.K.).
Aripiprazole augmentation improved well-being in older adults with treatment-resistant depression more than switching to bupropion. Lithium or nortriptyline provided similar outcomes when initial treatments failed.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Pharmacological Interventions
- Treatment-Resistant Depression
Background:
- Older adults with treatment-resistant depression have limited studied options for antidepressant augmentation or switching.
- Understanding the efficacy and safety of these strategies is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits and risks of augmenting or switching antidepressants in older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
- To compare the effectiveness of aripiprazole, bupropion, lithium, and nortriptyline in this population.
Main Methods:
- A two-step, open-label trial involving adults aged 60+ with treatment-resistant depression.
- Step 1: Random assignment to aripiprazole augmentation, bupropion augmentation, or switch to bupropion.
- Step 2: Random assignment to lithium augmentation or switch to nortriptyline for non-responders.
Main Results:
- Aripiprazole augmentation showed significantly greater well-being improvement than switching to bupropion in Step 1.
- Remission rates were numerically higher with aripiprazole augmentation.
- Step 2 treatments (lithium augmentation vs. switch to nortriptyline) showed similar well-being changes and remission rates.
Conclusions:
- Aripiprazole augmentation is a beneficial strategy for improving well-being in older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
- When initial augmentation or switching fails, lithium augmentation and switching to nortriptyline offer comparable outcomes.
- Bupropion augmentation was associated with a higher rate of falls.
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