In order to maintain ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission, chronic use of aminosalicylates is recommended. All patients have a fear of the recurrence of symptoms, which makes their mental state and quality of life worse. Because of this a number of patients are recommended to use different sorts of anxiolytic drugs and antidepressants.
Aim of the study: Evaluation of the influence of tianeptine (selective serotonin reuptake enhancer) on the mental and somatic status in the group of patients.
Material and method: The research was conducted in two groups of thirty patients, with benign form of ulcerative colitis in remission, aged 24-46 years. Patients, during a period of 12 months, were given aminosalicylates in a daily doses 2 x 1.0 g and tianeptine in a doses 3 x 12.5 mg (group I) or placebo (group II). During the treatment every three months anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale-HARS), depression (Back Depression Inventory-BDI), The Mayo Clinic Disease Activity Index (MCDAI), hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were evaluated.
Results: After 12 months in a group of patients who took tianeptine decrease in anxiety (from 20.35 +/- 4.03 to 12.65 +/- 3.78 points) and depression (from 19.95 +/- 4.49 points to 9.60 +/- 2.76 points) was obtained; difference compared with placebo was statistically significant (p < 0.01). At the same time significant decrease compared with placebo (p < 0.05) of disease activity index (respectively 3.05 +/- 1.36 and 4.65 +/- 1.69), insignificantly lower level of CRP (7.00 5.65 and 9.41 +/- 10.12) and higher level of hemoglobin (11.93 +/- 0.83 and 11.0 +/- 0.70) was observed.
Conclusions: Tianeptine has a positive influence on mental and somatic status of patients with UC. Results give the support for tianeptine apllication in UC as adjuvant drug.