Gender differences in treatment response to sertraline versus imipramine in chronic depression.

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined gender differences in treatment response to sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and to imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, in chronic depression. METHOD: A total of 235 male and 400 female outpatients with DSM-III-R chronic major depression or double depression (i.e., major depression superimposed on dysthymia) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with sertraline or with imipramine after placebo washout. RESULTS: Women were significantly more likely to show a favorable response to sertraline than to imipramine, and men were significantly more likely to show a favorable response to imipramine than to sertraline. Gender and type of medication were also significantly related to dropout rates; women who were taking imipramine and men who were taking sertraline were more likely to withdraw from the study. Gender differences in time to response were seen with imipramine, with women responding significantly more slowly than men. Comparison of treatment response rates by menopausal status showed that premenopausal women responded significantly better to sertraline than to imipramine and that postmenopausal women had similar rates of response to the two medications. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women with chronic depression show differential responsivity to and tolerability of SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. The differing response rates between the drug classes in women was observed primarily in premenopausal women. Thus, female sex hormones may enhance response to SSRIs or inhibit response to tricyclics. Both gender and menopausal status should be considered when choosing an appropriate antidepressant for a depressed patient.

Age of onset in chronic major depression: relation to demographic and clinical variables, family history, and treatment response.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and etiological significance of the early-late onset distinction in chronic major depressive disorder was explored. METHOD: Subjects were 289 outpatients with DSM-III-R chronic major depression drawn from a multi-site study comparing the efficacy of sertraline and imipramine in the acute and long-term treatment of chronic depression. Patients received comprehensive evaluations using semi-structured interviews and rating scales. RESULTS: Early-onset chronic major depression was associated with a longer index major depressive episode and higher rates of recurrent major depressive episodes, comorbid personality disorders, lifetime substance use disorders, depressive personality traits, and a history of psychiatric hospitalization. In addition, more early-onset patients tended to have a family history of mood disorders. The early-late onset distinction was not associated with differences in symptom severity, functional impairment, or treatment response. LIMITATIONS: Family members were not interviewed directly; there were a large number of statistical comparisons; and interrater reliability of the assessments was not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset chronic major depression has a more malignant course and is associated with greater comorbidity than late-onset chronic major depression.