Polypharmacotherapy in Depressive Disorder

Overview

Data on augmentation of antidepressant treatment are presented. The authors analyzed retrospectivelly records of patients hospitalised during 2000 in the psychiatric department in Brnowith the diagnosis of depressive disorder. Demographic data, and antidepressant treatment onadmission and discharge were assessed. The sample included 109 patients, 46 men and 63 women,i.e. 7% of the total number of hospitalisations in 2000 as compared to 19% in 1995. The mean agewas 55 years, the mean period of hospitalisation 50 days. On admission in 80/109 of those treatedwith antidepressants 37/80 (46%) had monotherapy, (30/80, 46,5%) combinations with other psychotropic drugs, mostly with benzodiazepines. Combinations of two antidepressants were used in12/80 (15%). The most frequently used antidepressant were SSRI (30/80, 47,5%), dual-action antidepressants were used in 8/80 (10%). On discharge more patients had monotherapy (39/69, 57%)and the combinations of two antidepressants were almost eliminated. SSRI remained the mostfrequently used antidepressants (24/69, 42%) and the percentage of patients treated with dual-action antidepressants increased (42%).

Key words:
depression, treatment, hospitalisation, combination of antidepressants, dual-actionantidepressants.