engleski

Sertraline in the treatment of depressive disorder of children and adolescents

INTRODUCTION: Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents is associated with high risk of suicide and persistent functional impairment. While psychological treatments are used as a first line treatment in mild and moderately severe depression in this age group, the number of prescriptions for antidepressant medication (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -SSRIs) has grown in recent years. HYPOTESIS: The sertralnine is efficiently in reducing depressive symptoms of children and adolescents and does not increase the risk of suicidal. METHODS: Forty patients with a moderate and a severe depressive symptoms, aged 8-19 years, met the diagnostic criteria for DSM-V. To asses the depressive symptoms we used The Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D-21) before and 8 weeks after initiation of therapy with sertraline. The dose of the drug is titrated individually and ranged from 25 mg to 150 mg per day. The data obtained from the HAM- D -21 were processed by Wilcoxon test, nonparametric test for related samples. RESULTS: Forty patients mean age 13.5 ± 3.3 years, 26 were female and 14 male. After 8 weeks of therapy HAM- D-21 scores were significantly reduced. (Wilcoxon test: p <0.01) The analysis of each items inicated the significant scores decrease on: item 11. Anxiety-somatic (somatic fear), item 10. Anxiety-psychic (psychological fear) and item 1. Depressed mood. (p<0.01). Statistically significant score decrease was on item 3.Suicide, as well.(p<0.05) CONCLUSION: An eight-week follow-up therapeutic effect of sertraline in the treatment of moderate and severe depressive episodes showed that sertraline is an effective in treating depression in children and adolescents and did not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and self harm.

sertraline; depressive disorder; children; adolescents

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