04.13.06
Indication: Non-major depression in HIV/AIDS patients
Source: Am J Psychiatry, January 2006;163(1):59-66.
Research: This study was designed to assess the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a potential treatment for non-major depression in 145 HIV/AIDS patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either DHEA or placebo; 90% (69 of 77) of the DHEA patients and 94% (64 of 68) of the placebo patients completed the eight-week trial. The primary measure of efficacy was a Clinical Global Impression improvement rating of 1 or 2 (much or very much improved). plus a final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score
Results: On the basis of clinicians' ratings, DHEA was superior in the intent-to-treat analysis, where the response rate was 56% (43 of 77) for the DHEA group versus 31% (21 of 68) for the placebo group. In the completer analysis, the response rate was 62% (43 of 69) for the DHEA group, compared to 33% (21 of 64) for placebo patients. Non-major but persistent de-pression is common in patients with HIV/AIDS, and the authors of this study believe DHEA may be a useful treatment that is superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms. Additionally, the low attrition rate in this group of physically ill patients, together with requests for extended open-label treatment, re-flect high acceptance of this readily available intervention.
Source: Am J Psychiatry, January 2006;163(1):59-66.
Research: This study was designed to assess the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a potential treatment for non-major depression in 145 HIV/AIDS patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either DHEA or placebo; 90% (69 of 77) of the DHEA patients and 94% (64 of 68) of the placebo patients completed the eight-week trial. The primary measure of efficacy was a Clinical Global Impression improvement rating of 1 or 2 (much or very much improved). plus a final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score
Results: On the basis of clinicians' ratings, DHEA was superior in the intent-to-treat analysis, where the response rate was 56% (43 of 77) for the DHEA group versus 31% (21 of 68) for the placebo group. In the completer analysis, the response rate was 62% (43 of 69) for the DHEA group, compared to 33% (21 of 64) for placebo patients. Non-major but persistent de-pression is common in patients with HIV/AIDS, and the authors of this study believe DHEA may be a useful treatment that is superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms. Additionally, the low attrition rate in this group of physically ill patients, together with requests for extended open-label treatment, re-flect high acceptance of this readily available intervention.