Table 1. Pharmacological Intervention Studies of Bereavement-related Depression
| Reference Citation | Study Type | Subjects | Age (y) | Treatment | Results |
| [12] | Open label | 8 women, 2 men | Mean not reported; range, 26–65 | Desipramine | 7 subjects much improveda; 2 subjects minimally improved; 1 dropout |
| [13] | Open label | 8 women, 5 men | Mean, 71.1; range, 61–78 | Nortriptyline | Mean HDRS scores decreased 67.9%; no dropouts |
| [14] | Open label | 17 women, 5 men | Mean, 63.5; range, 45–83 | Bupropion SR | Mean HDRS scores decreased 54%; 8 dropouts |
| [15]b | Randomized controlled | 58 women, 22 men | Mean range for 4 groups, 63.2–69.5 | Nortriptyline vs. placebo vs. NTP+IPT or PLA+IPT | NTP statistically significant compared to PLA; NTP+IPT group had lowest attrition rate |
| HDRS = Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; IPT = interpersonal psychotherapy; NTP = nortriptyline; PLA = placebo; SR = sustained release. | |||||
| aImprovement based on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rating after review of the decline in HDRS score. | |||||
| bSee text for details. |
References
- Jacobs SC, Nelson JC, Zisook S: Treating depressions of bereavement with antidepressants. A pilot study. Psychiatr Clin North Am 10 (3): 501-10, 1987. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Pasternak RE, Reynolds CF 3rd, Schlernitzauer M, et al.: Acute open-trial nortriptyline therapy of bereavement-related depression in late life. J Clin Psychiatry 52 (7): 307-10, 1991. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Zisook S, Shuchter SR, Pedrelli P, et al.: Bupropion sustained release for bereavement: results of an open trial. J Clin Psychiatry 62 (4): 227-30, 2001. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Reynolds CF 3rd, Miller MD, Pasternak RE, et al.: Treatment of bereavement-related major depressive episodes in later life: a controlled study of acute and continuation treatment with nortriptyline and interpersonal psychotherapy. Am J Psychiatry 156 (2): 202-8, 1999. [PUBMED Abstract]
