Stability of remission during tricyclic antidepressant continuation therapy for dysthymia

Sixty-four of 73 patients with DSM-III-R dysthymia who responded to short-term treatment with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) completed 16 to 20 weeks of continuation therapy on the same medication. Forty-one of 46 full remitters remained in full remission, while 5 became partial remitters during the continuation treatment. Of 18 partial remitters, 8 became fully remitted, 8 remained partial remitters, and 2 relapsed. Thus the stability of remission in dysthymic subjects treated with TCA seems quite favorable during continuation treatment.