P0045 - Subfebrile state and depression: The effect of Sertraline

Abstract

Abstract

Objective:

Prolonged subfebrile state is a state of high body temperature between 37.1 and 37.5 C which can last from 3 months to a few years. Besides high body temperature more than 50% of patients complain of fatigue, perspiration, headache, exhaustion, painful joints and muscles.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of sertraline in the treatment of symptoms of depression in subfebrile patients.

Methods:

Thirty patients in all, aged 18 to 50, diagnosed with prolonged subfebrile state of unknown etiology, were included in this study.

All the patients were tested using the MADRS scale for depression evaluation and the HAM-A scale for anxiety evaluation. Visits for these patients were organized at the beginning of the treatment, six weeks later, and twelve weeks later.

The patients were treated with sertraline - 50 mg daily, 12 weeks, without the concomitant therapy.

The minimum score on the MADRS scale on the initial visit was 20.

The minimum score on the HAM-A scale on the initial visit was 18.

Results:

There is a significant improvement in the depression level on the MADRS scale, and the anxiety level on the HAM-A scale in patients treated with sertraline after a 6th and 12th week of application of the medicine, compared with the initial visit.

20 % of the total number of patients diagnosed with prolonged subfebrile state, became afebrile.

Conclusion:

In patients with febrile state, the use of sertraline shows significant improvement in the reduction of symptoms of depression and anxiety.