Author/Editor		Kocmur, Marga; Dernovšek, Mojca Z; Tavčar, Rok
Title		Effect of paroxetine on intermittent brief depression episodes and suicide attempts among patients with personality disorders. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Type		članek
Source		Psychiatr Danub
Vol. and No.		Letnik 10, št. 3
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 283-6
Language		eng
Abstract		Suicidal behaviour among patients with personality disorders may be due to intermittent brief depression episodes (IBDE) or to the deficiency of serotonin system. The aim of this study was to assess whether treatment with serotonergic antidepressant paroxetine reduces the number and severity of IBDE and suicide attempts among patients with personality disorders. In a double blind study patients with personality disorders were given paroxetine (20 or 40 mg daily) or placebo, and were followed for up to one year. The number and severity of IBDE were assessed with Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Only 8 of 16 patients finished the study. Dropouts were mostly due to non-compliance. The number and severity of IBDE did not differ between the two groups at any observation period. The efficacy of paroxetine in reducing suicidal behaviour was not proved. The large dropout was probably due to patients' psychopathological characteristics.
Descriptors		PERSONALITY DISORDERS DEPRESSIVE DISORDER PAROXETINE SUICIDE, ATTEMPTED DOUBLE-BLIND METHOD PERSONALITY TESTS