Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Articles by Krebs, E. E. Articles by Lohr, K. N. PubMed Citation Articles by Krebs, E. E. Articles by Lohr, K. N. Depression Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders Antidepressants

Treating the Physical Symptoms of Depression With Second-Generation Antidepressants: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

Received October 18, 2007; accepted November 28, 2007. From The Center on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice, Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc.; the Dept. of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Dept. of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessments, Vienna, Austria; Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Dept. of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Erin E. Krebs, M.D., M.P.H., HSRD (11H), Roudebush VAMC, 1481 W. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. e-mail: krebse{at}iupui.edu
© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Approximately two-thirds of patients with depression experience physical pain symptoms. Coexisting pain complicates the treatment of depression and is associated with worse depression outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The authors reviewed the effect of newer antidepressants on pain in patients with depression. METHOD: The authors searched systematically for trials of second-generation antidepressants that enrolled depression patients and reported pain outcomes, pooling changes on the pain visual-analog scale (VAS), using random-effects models. RESULTS: Eight trials were eligible. Pooled analysis of head-to-head trials showed no difference in VAS between duloxetine and paroxetine. Both drugs were superior to placebo. CONCLUSION: The authors found insufficient evidence to support the choice of one second-generation antidepressant over another in patients with pain accompanying depression.

Key Words: Antidepressants • SSRIs • SNRIs • Physical Symptoms

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2008 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us