2002 – The Use Of Agomelatine In Population Of Depressive Elderly Patients

Abstract

Background

According to WHO data it is expected that by 2030 depression will become the most common disease of mankind. As of fairly recent a time, began the use of agomelatine as an antidepressant, a drug which operates through different mechanisms than the pharmaceuticals used before. However, the effects of agomelatine on the elderly patients is still not well researched. On the other hand, the demographics of Europe show that the percentage of elderly population will be increasing.

Material and methods

Within this clinical study, we examine the effect of a 25-50 mg per day dose admited to persons over 65 years of age. The examinees all suffer from depresive disorders the efect on which is the primary subject of this study, regardless of other physical and psychological comorbidities. Exclusion criteria for participation in the study include liver disease (elevated serum transaminases) and combination with CYP1A2 inhibitor drugs. The study included fifty patients who are monitored over a course of six weeks. The following measuring instruments are used in the study: HAM-D17, GDS-30, Beck D. Q, SHAPS scale, PSQIand the Elderly's Quality of Life Questionnaire. Each participant is tested twith the battery of questionaires listed above prior to admission into the study, and once again after six weeks of agomelatine teraphy.

Results

The study is currently in progress, so there are no deffinitive results as of yet.

Conclusion

Is the agomelatine an efficient antidepressant treatment in elderly patients.