Comparative study of duloxetine in treatment of elder patients with depression

Objective: To compare curative effects of duloxetine and sertraline in treatment of elder patients with depression. Methods: 60 elder patients with depression were randomized into duloxetine group and sertraline group. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. Hamilton depression scale( MAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale( HAMA) were used to evaluate the curative effects and treatment emergent symptoms scale( TESS) was applied to evaluate the adverse reactions. Results: The HAMD and HAMA scores of the two groups decreased significantly compared with those before the treatment( P 0. 05). 1 and 2 weeks after the treatment,the effective effects and the decrease of HAMD and HAMA scores of duloxetine group were significantly higher than those of sertraline group,and the difference was significant( P 0. 05). The two groups showed no statistical difference in the adverse reactions. Conclusions: Duloxetine is safe and effective in the treatment of elder patients with depression,may act earlier,and is helpful for patients' rehabilitation.