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The use and tolerability of fluoxetine in geropsychiatric inpatients
C A Orengo1, M E Kunik, V Molinari
1Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA.
Background:
The efficacy and tolerability of fluoxetine were examined in 31 patients admitted to a geropsychiatric inpatient unit who were initiated and maintained on a regimen of fluoxetine.
Method:
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Rating Scale for Side Effects were administered at admission and discharge, and scores were compared using paired t tests. Two patients were withdrawn from fluoxetine prior to discharge because of side effects; their data are not included in the analysis.
Results:
We found significant improvement both in depressive symptoms and in general psychiatric symptoms and nonsignificant improvement in cognitive function. Fluoxetine was well-tolerated, and a significant decrease in the total scores of the Rating Scale for Side Effects was found. Subgroups of older patients (mean age = 75 years), less depressed patients, and demented patients were also examined. In all three groups, we found a statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms, general psychiatric symptoms, and total side effects.
Conclusion:
Fluoxetine appears to be an effective and well-tolerated antidepressant in elderly inpatients of varying age, levels of depression, and psychiatric diagnoses.