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Citalopram May Prevent Depression in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer CHICAGO -- May 20, 2008 -- Results of a pilot study published in the May 2008 issue of Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery suggest that taking citalopram before beginning treatment for head and neck cancer may help prevent depression during therapy. William M. Lydiatt, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, and colleagues conducted a randomised clinical trial involving patients with head and neck cancer. Before beginning treatment, 15 participants were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg of citalopram daily and 13 were randomly assigned to take placebo. The patients took the medication for 12 weeks, underwent cancer treatment, and were screened for depression every 4 weeks. The researchers assessed 22 patients were at week 12, and 23 patients completed a final study visit 4 weeks after stopping the medication. "The numbers of subjects who met predefined cut-off criteria for depression during the 12 weeks of active study were 5 of 10 (50%) taking placebo and 2 of 12 (17%) taking citalopram," the authors said. "No patients in the citalopram group became suicidal, compared with 2 in the placebo group." As measured by a self-administered questionnaire, quality of life deteriorated in both groups during treatment but less so in the group taking citalopram. "The data from this pilot trial suggest that prevention of major depressive disorder in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer may be an attainable goal. The data show trends toward major depressive disorder prevention in this small sample. All measures of psychiatric well-being favored the group taking citalopram," the authors concluded. "This study suggests a tangible means to improve outcome in patients with head and neck cancer and supports additional research toward this aim." This study was supported by the University of Nebraska Clinical Research Center, Omaha, Nebraska, and an unrestricted grant from Ted Kooser. Forest Laboratories Inc., New York, New York, provided matching drug and placebo. Co-author Dr. Burke also served as a consultant and received honoraria and research support from Forest Laboratories Inc. SOURCE: Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version