A comparative study of Duloxetine versus Hydrochloride in the treatment of late-onset patients with depression

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine in the treatment for late-onset patients with depression.Methods Seventy-six late-onset patients with depression were randomly divided into study group(receiving duloxetine)and control group(receiving Hydrochloride).Efficacy and side effects were assessed with HAMD.HAMA and TESS respectively before and after treatment.Results After eight weeks,the efficacy showed no differences between two groups.No significant difference Was found in all scores of HAMD and HAMA between the two groups.But the scores of anxiety/somatization and sleep disorder in study group were significantly different from control group.No difference Was found in the adverse event between the two groups.Conclusion Duloxetine shows better efficacy and high safety in thetreatment of late-onset depression.which could be recommended to all late-onset patients with somatization symptoms.