• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » Zoloft not helpful for subsyndromal symptoms in cancer patients

Zoloft not helpful for subsyndromal symptoms in cancer patients

July 1, 2007
Jesse H. Wright, MD
From The Carlat Psychiatry Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Jesse H. Wright, MD. Professor and Chief of Adult Psychiatry, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Co-author, Learning Cognitive Behavior Therapy: An Illustrated Guide.


Dr. Wright has disclosed that he receives royalities from books he has written about cognitive behavioral therapy.

Subject:
Antidepressants

Short Description:
Zoloft not helpful for subsyndromal symptoms in cancer patients

Background:
About 20% of patients with cancer develop major depression, and at least 60% present with significant symptoms of sadness and anxiety not severe enough to meet criteria for a DSM-4 disorder. While SSRIs have been shown effective for treating depression in cancer patients, it is less clear that they are helpful for subsyndromal symptoms. In this study, 189 patients with advanced cancer were randomized to receive either sertraline 50 mg/day or placebo. Researchers excluded patients with DSM-4 major depression from the trial, in order to test the effect of sertraline specifically on subsyndromal symptoms. At 4 and 8 weeks, there were no differences on any symptom measures between sertraline and plabo groups (Stockler MR, Lancet Oncol 2007 online June 4).

TCPR's Take:
This is a surprising and disappointing result. It implies that we should be more discriminating in who we offer SSRIs to. In cancer patients who do not meet clear DSM-4 criteria, we should focus more on treatments specific to symptoms, such as hypnotics for insomnia, benzodiazepines for anxiety, and stimulants for fatigue.              

General Psychiatry
KEYWORDS antidepressants
Jesse H. Wright, MD

Latest CATIE results: Atypicals no better than Trilafon for improving cognition

More from this author
www.thecarlatreport.com
Issue Date: July 1, 2007
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Table Of Contents
Does Psychotherapy Work?
Psychotherapy: A Practical and Integrative Approach
High Yield Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Techniques
Zoloft not helpful for subsyndromal symptoms in cancer patients
More evidence that antipsychotics are dangerous in dementia
Is divorce a risk factor for getting a stimulant prescription?
Latest CATIE results: Atypicals no better than Trilafon for improving cognition
DOWNLOAD NOW
Featured Book
  • MFB6eCover.jpg

    Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice, Sixth Edition (2022)

    Guidance, clinical pearls, and bottom-line assessments covering the medications you use in your...
    READ MORE
Featured Video
  • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

    Read More
Featured Podcast
  • KellieElvis2.jpeg
    General Psychiatry

    Elvis Presley and Pharmacokinetics - Part 2

    This common pharmacokinetic reaction will help you manage many of bad medication reactions in psychiatric practice. But did it lead to Elvis Presley’s death? 

    Listen now
Recommended
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png

About

  • About Us
  • CME Center
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Shop Online

  • Newsletters
  • Multimedia Subscriptions
  • Books
  • eBooks
  • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

Newsletters

  • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
  • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report

Contact

info@thecarlatreport.com

866-348-9279

PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

Follow Us

Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

© 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.