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Early response as predictor of final remission in elderly depressed patients
- Authors:
- KOK Rob M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(11), November 2009, pp.1299-1303.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Several studies have attempted to predict the final response or remission based on improvement during the early course of treatment of major depression, but there is variation in the cut offs used to define early response and in the best week to predict final results. This study aimed to compare different cut-offs at different time points early in the treatment of elderly depressed patients, using a 12 week randomised controlled trial in 81 elderly inpatients with major depression comparing venlafaxine with nortriptyline. The results showed that in elderly in patients, prediction of final remission is possible as early as week 3. In conclusion the researchers suggested that, combining the results from this study and other studies addressing this issue, treatment should be changed in the elderly if after 3-4 weeks less than 30% improvement in depression score has been achieved.