Antidepressant Medications are Effective for Use in Primary Care

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 28 Sep 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The vast majority of patients with clinical depression are seen in a primary care setting. Yet most studies examining the effectiveness of antidepressant medications are done with patients who see a psychiatric specialist and who may have a different etiology, pathophysiology and natural history for their depression.

The first systematic review of antidepressants versus placebo in primary care, this study finds that both tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are significantly more effective than placebo in primary care settings.

Additionally, the study finds that the relatively low doses of TCAs sometimes used in primary care may be effective.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Tricyclic Antidepressants and SSRIs Compared with Placebo in Primary Care Treated Depression. A Meta-analysis.
By Bruce Arroll, MBChB, PhD, et al

Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care discipline. Launched in May 2003, the journal is sponsored by six family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Annals is published six times each year and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays and editorials. A board of directors with representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations oversees Annals. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed free of charge on the journal's Web site, http://www.annfammed.org.

Kristin Robinson
kristinr@aafp.org
913-906-6000
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
Sept/Oct 2005 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

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