scholarly journals Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for the Treatment of Depression in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Preliminary Retrospective Chart Review Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1216
Author(s):  
Robyn P. Thom ◽  
Michelle L. Palumbo ◽  
Claire Thompson ◽  
Christopher J. McDougle ◽  
Caitlin T. Ravichandran
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Review Study

Background: Depression is a common psychiatric comorbidity in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), particularly adults, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of at least 10%. The current literature on the treatment of depression in adults with DS is limited to case series published more than two decades ago, prior to the widespread use of modern antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The purpose of this retrospective chart review study was to examine the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of SSRIs for depression in adults with DS. Methods: Medical records of 11 adults with DS and depression were reviewed. Assignment of scores for severity (S) of symptoms of depression and improvement (I) of symptoms with treatment with an SSRI was made retrospectively using the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population, SSRI name, dose, and duration of treatment; and adverse effects were also recorded. Results: All 11 patients (7 male, 4 female; mean age = 27.2 years, range 18–46 years) completed a 12-week treatment course with an SSRI. The median duration of time after initiation of the SSRI covered by record review was 2.1 years, with a range of 24 weeks to 6.7 years. Nine of the 11 patients (82%; 95% CI 52%, 95%) were judged responders to SSRIs based on a rating of “much improved” or “very much improved” on the CGI-I after 12 weeks of treatment (median time of follow-up was 14.4 weeks, with a range of 12.0–33.0 weeks). Adverse effects occurred in four patients (36%). The most common adverse effects were daytime sedation and anger. Conclusions: In this preliminary retrospective study, the majority of patients responded to a 12-week course of SSRI treatment and some tolerated long-term use. Controlled studies are needed to further assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of SSRIs for the treatment of depression in adults with DS.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Trazodone for Treatment of Depression, Psychosis, and Behavioral Symptoms in Patients With Dementia

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (S1) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Sultzer
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

Depression, psychosis, agitation, and aggression are fundamental clinical aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia syndromes. Although behavioral, environmental, and pharmacologic interventions often help ameliorate these symptoms, the efficacy of specific interventions is uncertain, and adverse effects of medications are common.

Discontinuing or Switching Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A Bull ◽  
Enid M Hunkeler ◽  
Janelle Y Lee ◽  
Clayton R Rowland ◽  
Todd E Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Early Discontinuation ◽  
Telephone Surveys ◽  
Recurrent Case ◽  
Frequent Reason

OBJECTIVE: To describe reasons for discontinuing or switching selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) at 3 and 6 months after starting treatment, and to identify information provided to patients that may help prevent premature discontinuation of medication. METHODS: Telephone surveys were conducted at 3 and 6 months after patients (n = 672) were started on an SSRI for a new or recurrent case of depression. RESULTS: Significantly more patients discontinued or switched their SSRI because of an adverse effect within the first 3 months of starting (43%) compared with the second 3 months (27%; p = 0.023). The adverse effect most frequently reported as the reason for early discontinuation or switching was drowsiness/fatigue (10.2%), followed by anxiety, headache, and nausea — All at just over 5%. The odds ratio for discontinuation was 61% less in patients who recalled being told to take the medication for at least 6 months compared with those who did not (OR 0.39; p < 0.001). Patients who recalled being informed of potential adverse effects increased their reported incidence of mild to moderate adverse effects by 55% (OR 1.55; p < 0.05) without affecting rates of premature discontinuation (OR 1.06; p = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Adverse effects are the most frequent reason for discontinuing or switching SSRIs within the first 3 months of treatment. Patients are more likely to continue taking their antidepressant if they fully understand how long to take the medication. Informing patients of potential adverse effects does not appear to prevent premature discontinuation, but may increase the patient's awareness and reporting of mild to moderate adverse effects.

Treatment of Depression in Acute Coronary Syndromes with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Drugs ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 66 (16) ◽  
pp. 2095-2107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost P van Melle ◽  
Peter de Jonge ◽  
Maarten P van den Berg ◽  
Harm J Pot ◽  
Dirk J van Veldhuisen
Keyword(s):  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndromes ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Coronary Syndromes
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document