Effect of escitalopram combined with mirtazapine in the treatment of post-stroke depression

Objective To explore the clinical effect of escitalopram combined with mirtazapine in the treatment of post-stroke depression. Methods A total of 90 patients with post-stroke depression admitted to General Hospital of Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group from January 2017 to December 2018 were randomly selected as the study objects. The patients were divided into study group and control group by random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. Study group was treated with escitalopram and mirtazapine on the basis of routine treatment, and control group was treated with mirtazapine on the basis of routine treatment. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the depression of the two groups before and after treatment, and the World Health Organization Quality of life 100 (WHOQOL-100) was used to evaluate the changes of the quality of life of the two groups before and after treatment. Results There was no significant difference in HAMD between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05); and the decrease of HAMD score in study group after treatment was better than that in control group (P 0.05), and the increase of WHOQOL-100 score in study group after treatment was better than that in control group (P<0.05); during the treatment of the two groups, the incidence of adverse reactions such as dry mouth, constipation and dysuria in study group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Clinicians should use HAMD in time to identify the condition of patients with depression after suspected stroke. Once confirmed, esmcitalopram combined with mirtazapine should be recommended to carry out antidepressant treatment, which is conducive to ensuring the treatment effect and safety of patients and improving their quality of life. Key words: Stroke; Depression; Escitalopram; Mirtazapine