Key result
Sertraline administration for 20 days did not significantly prolong the QTc interval (mean difference 1.633 ms) in male patients with depression and alcohol dependence.
Why the study?
Depression frequently accompanies alcohol addiction, and the effect of sertraline on the QT interval in this vulnerable population required investigation.
Does sertraline prolong the QTc interval in depressed male patients with alcohol dependence?
Observational (n=147)
Random selection
Yes
Does sertraline prolong the QTc interval in depressed male patients with alcohol dependence?
Sertraline at standard therapeutic doses does not significantly prolong the QTc interval in depressed male patients with alcohol dependence, suggesting it is safe regarding ventricular arrhythmia risk in this vulnerable population.
Supports QTc safety of sertraline in this group; hypothesis-generating and requires randomized confirmation.
Introduction and Aim: Depression in psychiatry covers a large area of mental pathology and it is one of the most complex problems of modern medicine with broad implications for the health of the individual and the society as a whole. Depression is also a frequent companion of alcohol addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the antidepressant drug sertraline on the length of QT interval in depressed patients with alcohol dependence. Patients and methods: This research included male patients (older than 18 years of age) suffering from alcohol addiction, who were also diagnosed with depression, that is, depressive disorder, at the beginning of hospitalisation, on the basis of DSM-IV (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) criterion and positive Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). The study included 49 patients treated with antidepressant sertraline for 20 days. In our study, the global QTc interval (12 leads) was determined automatically by applying ECG device of the producer and type "Schiller Cardiovit AT-1", which uses "SCHILLER ECG Measurement and Interpretation Software for Children and Adult ECGs". Measured/empirical values of data were statistically processed in SPSS 16.0 programme package for Windows. Methods of descriptive statistics and methods of statistic testing of hypotheses were used. Results: In our study, in spite of the vulnerability of patients due to the heart damage and the liver dysfunction arising from alcohol consumption, as well as altered patients' drugs metabolism, no elongation of QTc interval resulting from the application of sertraline was established (p = 0.735). The average prolongation of QTc interval of 1.633 ms was observed (95% CI = 8.005 ms, 11.270 ms). Conclusion: Our study does not indicate that the antidepressant drug sertraline has a statistically significant effect on the prolongation of the QT interval of depressed patients with alcohol dependence.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Stojanović-Vukadinović et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Depression and alcohol dependence (n=147). Sertraline vs. Baseline was evaluated on Length of QTc interval (Mean difference 1.633 ms, 95% CI -8.005, 11.270, p=0.735). Sertraline administration for 20 days did not significantly prolong the QTc interval (mean difference 1.633 ms) in male patients with depression and alcohol dependence.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: