A comparative study of Duloxetine versus Escitalopram in the treatment of elderly depression

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of duloxetine and escitalopram in elderly depression.Methods:80 patients with episode depression were randomly divided into duloxetine group(n = 38) and escitalopram group(n = 42).The patients were treated with duloxetine(30～60mg/d) or escitalopram(10～15 mg/d) for 6 weeks.The efficacy was assessed with Hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD 17) and the side effects were assessed with treatment emergent symptoms scale(TESS).Results: 38 patients in duloxetine group and 42 patients in escitalopram group completed the 6 weeks' study.After the 6-weeks treatment,the response rates in duloxetine group and escitalopram group were 78.95% and 73.81% respectively,without significant difference(x~2= 0.101,P0.05).The clinical recovery rate was 55.26% in duloxetine group and 52.38% in escitalopram group,with no difference(x~2= 0.251,P0.05).After the first week of treatment,the response rate was 34.20% in duloxetine group and 35.71% in escitalopram group without difference(x~2=0.143,P0.05).The frequent reported adverse effects above 10% were constipation,insomnia,inappetence in duloxetine group and insomnia,fatigue in escitalopram group.Conclusions: Duloxetine and escitalopram are both effective and safe in elderly patients with depressive disorder.