Treatment of old-age depression with sertraline

Within the setting of a gerontopsychiatric day-clinic, 27 depressed patients at ages over 60 years were treated with sertraline in a standardized manner. Within six weeks, in 22 (81%) a substantial reduction, in 15 (56%) a remission of depressive symptomatology was achieved. 13 out of 17 patients (76%), who had responded to treatment and continued treatment with sertraline, still fulfilled response criteria six months later. Side effects were observed in five patients (19%), mostly nausea. The side effects resolved partially or completely during the further course of treatment. These results show the effectiveness and tolerability of sertraline in the treatment of old-age depression.