HTA-SADD trial: Sertraline vs. mirtazapine vs. placebo for depression in dementia

Source: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme Area: News This double-blind placebo-controlled RCT conducted at nine English old-age psychiatry units, examined the clinical effectiveness of sertraline and mirtazapine in reducing depression 13 weeks post randomisation compared with placebo. It involved 326 patients with probable or possible Alzheimer's disease (AD), depression (4+ weeks) and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) score of 8+. They were randomised to received these antidepressants (target dose 150 mg sertraline [n= 107] or 45 mg mirtazapine [n= 108] daily), or placebo (n= 111).   There were no statistically significant differences in CSDD (main outcome measure) between the groups were at 13 weeks (95% CI):   . placebo-sertraline 1.17 (-0.23 to 2.78; p = 0.102) . placebo-mirtazapine 0.01 (-1.37 to 1.38; p = 0.991) . mirtazapine-sertraline 1.16 (-0.27 to 2.60; p = 0.112).   There were fewer adverse reactions in the placebo group (29/111, 26%) than sertraline ...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news