Key result
Escitalopram was superior to citalopram for treating interferon-induced depression in hepatitis C patients, with a significant difference in depression scores at 12 weeks (MD 3.76, p<0.001).
Why the study?
The study was conducted to compare the efficacy of citalopram and escitalopram in hepatitis C patients who developed depression while receiving interferon therapy.
Does escitalopram improve depression scores more than citalopram in hepatitis C patients with interferon-induced depression?
RCT (n=80)
Double-blind
randomly assigned
No
Does escitalopram improve depression scores more than citalopram in hepatitis C patients with interferon-induced depression?
Escitalopram demonstrated superior efficacy and tolerability compared to citalopram for treating interferon-induced depression in hepatitis C patients.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports escitalopram preference over citalopram for interferon-induced depression; extends RCT evidence to hepatitis C patients on interferon.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to compare the two antidepressant drugs citalopram and escitalopram on the basis of efficacy in depressed patients of Hepatitis C patients receiving interferons. METHODS: In this double blind randomized trial, the hepatitis C patients visited National institute of liver and Gastro intestinal diseases (NILGID), Dow University Hospital, were screened for depression before starting treatment with interferons. The Institutional review board approval was obtained and its letter reference no.is: IRB-682/DUHS/Approval/2016/169. Patients with previous history of depression were excluded from the study. The patients who started with Interferon therapy were assessed for depression on baseline and then on each visit. Those who developed depression were randomly assigned to receive either citalopram or escitalopram. Treatment groups were assessed with depression scale each time they visit the clinic. Two antidepressants were compared for their efficacy at an interval of 4 weeks, 8weeks and then 12 weeks. RESULTS: In the current study 80 patients were randomized to receive either citalopram or escitalopram. The study outcome was better in patients treated with escitalopram. The mean change in depression score from baseline to the end of the study was greater in escitalopram group i.e. 10.41 as compared to citalopram group i.e. 14.17. The difference in depression score was also calculated as 4.28 and.3.76 (p < 0.001) for both the drugs at week 8 and week 12 respectively, which was statistically significant. Difference in depression score were also calculated for gender 0.576 (p = 0.497) and age 0.950 (p = 0.265), which were found to be non-significant, statistically. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated superiority of escitalopram over citalopram, the drug is twice as potent as the racemic mixture. Additionally the drug is well tolerated and exhibited better effects. Escitalopram proved to be a safer alternative to citalopram.
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Shakeel et al. (2020) conducted an RCT in Interferon-induced depression in hepatitis C (n=80). Escitalopram vs. Citalopram was evaluated on Mean change in depression score from baseline to 12 weeks (MD 3.76, p=< 0.001). Escitalopram was superior to citalopram for treating interferon-induced depression in hepatitis C patients, with a significant difference in depression scores at 12 weeks (MD 3.76, p<0.001).
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