Effectiveness of Paroxetine for Poststroke Depression: A Meta-Analysis

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 May;29(5):104664. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.104664. Epub 2020 Feb 21.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of paroxetine in poststroke depression (PSD) patients by conducting a meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched Web of Science (science and social science citation index), PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase up to August 2019. Randomized controlled trials that paroxetine compared to other antidepressants or control treatments as monotherapy for patients with PSD.

Results: This review identified a total of 4 studies including 212 patients. This meta-analysis presented that paroxetine exhibits beneficial efficacy than routine treatment in PSD patients in terms of the reducing score of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Control treatment is more effective than paroxetine. No significant advantage was found with paroxetine.

Conclusions: The efficacy of paroxetine maybe not very significant compared to other pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Further high quality and large sample size studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paroxetine in treating PSD in future.

Keywords: Effectiveness; meta-analysis; paroxetine; poststroke: depression.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Affect / drug effects*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / therapeutic use*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Humans
  • Paroxetine / adverse effects
  • Paroxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke / diagnosis
  • Stroke / psychology
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Paroxetine