Depressive Störungen in der neurologischen Rehabilitation: Therapie mit Paroxetin

Zusammenfassung

Anliegen: Depressive Syndrome, etwa nach Schlaganfällen, sind in der neurologischen Rehabilitation häufig zu beobachten und werden oft unzureichend behandelt. Methode: Neun von 111 konsekutiven Aufnahmen einer neurologischen Rehabilitationsklinik wurden mittels Hamilton-Depressions-Skala (HDRS ≥ 14) als depressiv erfasst und mit 10 - 40 mg Paroxetin behandelt. Ergebnisse: Acht von neun Patienten zeigten einen Rückgang ihrer Hamiltonwerte von ≥ 50 %. Schlussfolgerung: Der SSRI Paroxetin stellt eine effektive Behandlung depressiver Syndrome in der neurologischen Rehabilitation dar, sowohl nach Schlaganfall als auch im Rahmen anderer neurologischer Erkrankungen.

Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Neurological Rehabilitation: Effects of Paroxetine

Objective: Depression is a common problem in neurological rehabilitation. Although three double-blind studies have shown the efficacy of trazodone, citalopram and nortriptyline, antidepressant drug therapy of post-stroke depression is not yet considered a state-of-the-art strategy. In a hospital for neurological rehabilitation we have performed an open study on the effects of the SSRI, paroxetine, in depressive disorders caused by neurological diseases. Method: 111 consecutive admissions were screened for depression and 9 patients were admitted to the study having a HDRS score ≥ 14. Results: 10 - 40 mg of paroxetine were well tolerated and led to a ≥ 50 % reduction of the HDRS score in 8/9 patients. A patient with pathological crying, but without depression, was also successfully treated with 20 mg of paroxetine. Conclusions: We conclude that the SSRI, paroxetine, is an effective and well-tolerated therapy of depressive disorders caused by various neurological diseases, including also other diagnoses than stroke.

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