Evidence-based somatic treatment of depression in adults

Abstract

This article reviews recent studies and controversies about the effectiveness of antidepressant medications for depression. It is divided into three broad topics: (1) the heated controversy regarding how one should interpret 'efficacy studies' of antidepressants, that is, the standard placebo-controlled double-blind studies used by drug companies to gain Food and Drug Administration approval; (2) 'effectiveness studies,' open-label studies enrolling types of patients who are excluded from efficacy studies, focusing on one enormous study in particular—the STAR-D trial; and (3) the evidence base that can guide clinicians in the choice of antidepressants for particular patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2012-05322-013. PMID: 22370495 Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Carlat, Daniel; Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, US, drcarlat@comcast.net. Release Date: 20120326. Correction Date: 20170403. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Antidepressant Drugs; Drug Therapy; Major Depression; Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Classification: Clinical Psychopharmacology (3340). Population: Human (10). Tests & Measures: Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report; Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression DOI: 10.1037/t04100-000. References Available: Y. Page Count: 12. Issue Publication Date: Mar, 2012. Copyright Statement: All rights reserved. Elsevier Inc. 2012.