Showing papers by "Jerónimo Saiz-Ruiz published in 2002"

A pilot placebo-controlled study of fluvoxamine for pathological gambling.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluvoxamine in the treatment of pathological gambling. Thirty-two patients were treated for 6 months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of fluvoxamine 200 mg/day. Outcome measures included reduction in money and time spent gambling per week. Longitudinal mixed effects models and completers analyses were used for estimation and hypothesis testing. Fluvoxamine was not statistically significantly different from placebo in the overall sample. However, fluvoxamine was statistically significantly superior to placebo in males and in younger patients. The power of the study was limited by the high (59%) placebo-response rate. Fluvoxamine may be a useful treatment for certain subgroups of patients with pathological gambling. Several methodological recommendations are made for future pharmacological trials of pathological gambling.

Concurrent positive association between pathological gambling and functional DNA polymorphisms at the MAO-A and the 5-HT transporter genes.

Abstract: Concurrent positive association between pathological gambling and functional DNA polymorphisms at the MAO-A and the 5-HT transporter genes

Efficacy of venlafaxine in major depression resistant to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Abstract: Introduction: Some studies suggest that venlafaxine, due to its pharmacodynamic characteristics, could be an effective drug in depression, resistant to other antidepressive agents. This investigation explores the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine in major depression, resistant to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Methods: A multicenter naturalistic study was performed during 6 months and included those patients diagnosed of major depression according to the criteria of DSM-IV who had a minimum score of 18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and who had not responded to previous treatment with a SSRI at therapeutic doses for a minimum of 4 weeks. The assessment of efficacy was performed with the HAM-D scale, the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Global Clinical Impression (GCI). Tolerability was evaluated by recording the adverse reactions and with the GCI score on overall drug tolerability. Results: A total of 69 patients, of which 59 were evaluable for efficacy (they had fulfilled at least 4 weeks of treatment), were included. About 81% of all of them obtained a reduction of at least 50% in the HAM-D, 74% were considered as “quite improved” or “very improved” in the GCI and 69% met both criteria. The mean dose of venlafaxine used was 170.4 (S.D.=43.8) mg. Of the 21 patients who did not complete the 6 months of treatment, 3 were due to lack of efficacy, 6 due to adverse effects and 12 for other reasons. About 89.2% of side effects were considered as mild or moderate. Conclusion: The results of our study support the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine in patients suffering from depression who have not responded to SSRI treatment.

Nefazodone in the treatment of elderly patients with depressive disorders: a prospective, observational study.

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of nefazodone for the treatment of depression in elderly patients in clinical routine practice.