Paroxetine in the Treatment of Major Depression in Patients with Hematological Malignancy

Pae, Chi Un; Lee, Hyek Jae; Kim, Jung Jin; Lee, Chang Uk; Lee, Soo Jung; Lee, Chul; Paik, In Ho

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The efficacy and safety of paroxetine in the treatment of depressive disorders are well known, however its efficacy and safety for the treatment of depression in patients with cancer has been poorly studied. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paroxetine in treatment of depressed patients with hematological malignancy (HM).
METHODS
Fifty-two patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) based on DSM-IV criteria along with comorbid HM were allotted to 8 weeks trial with a flexible-dose regime of paroxetine in combination with their chemotherapy or supportive pharmacotherapy. Treatment response was assessed at baseline, week 2, week 4, and week 8 with 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17), Montgomery sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Clinical Global Impression-severity (CGI-S). Side effects were collected with the reported adverse events and laboratory test throughout the study period.
RESULTS
44.2% of 52 patients completed the eight weeks trial. Scores on the HAM-D17, MADRS, and CGI-s (last observation carried forward, LOCF) at baseline were significantly reduced with mean reduction of 30.5%, 32.8%, and 39.1%, respectively, after 8 weeks treatment with paroxetine. Forty-six patients (88.5%) reported at least one adverse event. The most common adverse event observed in this study was nausea and no serious adverse event was found.
CONCLUSION
In this preliminary study, overall results showed paroxetine could be used for the treatment of depressed patients with HM, but more controlled study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of paroxetine in this area.