Melancholic, atypical and anxious depression subtypes and outcome of treatment with escitalopram and nortriptyline

摘要: Abstract Objective To investigate whether subtypes of depression predict differential outcomes treatment with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a tricyclic antidepressant in major depression. Method Among 811 adults moderate-to-severe depression, melancholic, atypical, anxious anxious-somatizing established at baseline were evaluated as predictors outcome flexible dosage the SSRI escitalopram or nortriptyline. The primary measure was Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Secondary measures 17-item Hamilton for (HRSD-17) Beck Inventory (BDI). Results Melancholic associated slightly worse among individuals treated escitalopram, but did not affect interaction between melancholic drug reach statistical significance significant results secondary robust sensitivity analyses. Atypical unrelated to either antidepressant. Anxious on measure, inconsistently predicted some Limitations Some participants non-randomly allocated drug. Therefore, drug-by-predictor interactions had be validated analyses restricted 468 randomly individuals. Conclusions Melancholic, atypical are sufficiently help clinician choose antidepressants. There is need other outcome.