We have located links that may give you full text access.
CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Mirtazapine improves sleep and lowers anxiety and depression in cancer patients: superiority over imipramine.
Supportive Care in Cancer 2008 November
GOALS OF THE WORK: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mirtazapine and imipramine on not only the distressing symptoms of cancer patients such as pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, and sleep disturbances but also depressive and anxiety symptoms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients with cancer who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or adjustment disorder were included. Twenty patients on mirtazapine, 13 patients on imipramine, and 20 patients in the control group without medication were interviewed during three visits (baseline, third week, and sixth week). Pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, and sleep disturbances were evaluated with self-assessment single-symptom scales during each visit. The patients were also asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) during each visit.
MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three visits in the mirtazapine, imipramine, or control groups in terms of pain, nausea, vomiting, or appetite loss. For the initial, middle, and late insomnia, only the mirtazapine group showed improvements (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.003). There were also significant differences in the mean total (p = 0.03), anxiety (p = 0.003), and depression (p = 0.025) scores of HADS among the three visits for patients taking mirtazapine. There were no significant differences for HADS scores from the baseline to the end point for patients taking imipramine or control group patients.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that mirtazapine is effective for resolving insomnia as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms in cancer patients. However, more systematic research, such as placebo-controlled studies, is needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients with cancer who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or adjustment disorder were included. Twenty patients on mirtazapine, 13 patients on imipramine, and 20 patients in the control group without medication were interviewed during three visits (baseline, third week, and sixth week). Pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, and sleep disturbances were evaluated with self-assessment single-symptom scales during each visit. The patients were also asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) during each visit.
MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three visits in the mirtazapine, imipramine, or control groups in terms of pain, nausea, vomiting, or appetite loss. For the initial, middle, and late insomnia, only the mirtazapine group showed improvements (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.003). There were also significant differences in the mean total (p = 0.03), anxiety (p = 0.003), and depression (p = 0.025) scores of HADS among the three visits for patients taking mirtazapine. There were no significant differences for HADS scores from the baseline to the end point for patients taking imipramine or control group patients.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that mirtazapine is effective for resolving insomnia as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms in cancer patients. However, more systematic research, such as placebo-controlled studies, is needed.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app