Antidepressants for treating depression in dementia
Abstract
The use of antidepressants for patients with dementia accompanied by depressive symptoms is widespread, but their clinical efficacy is uncertain. Many of the individual trials of antidepressants have been too small to provide precise estimates of the moderate benefits that might realistically be expected. Combining the information from all appropriate trials may provide a better estimate of the likely effects of treatment.Objectives To determine whether antidepressants are clinically effective and acceptable for the treatment of patients with depression and also dementia.Search methods The CDCIG Specialized Register was last searched on 27 April 2005. This register contains records from major health care databases and many ongoing trials databases and is updated regularly.Medical information departments of pharmaceutical companies were asked to search their databases for any relevant clinical trials. Where necessary authors of trials were approached with requests for additional information.Selection criteria All relevant unconfounded, double-blind, randomized trials comparing any antidepressant drug with placebo, for patients diagnosed as having dementia and depression, according to established criteria.Data collection and analysis Two reviewers extracted data independently and settled any differences by agreement.Main results There were seven included studies with a total of 1140 subjects of which 769 met inclusion criteria. Four included studies reported sufficiently…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,140 participants or records.
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