Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare escitalopram, problem-solving therapy, and placebo to prevent poststroke depression during 6 months after discontinuation of treatment.
Methods: We examined for depression 33 patients assigned to placebo, 34 to escitalopram, and 41 to problem-solving therapy.
Results: After controlling for age, gender, prior mood disorder, and severity of stroke, new-onset major depression and Hamilton Depression scores were significantly higher 6 months after escitalopram was discontinued compared with the problem-solving therapy or placebo groups.
Conclusions: Discontinuation of escitalopram may increase poststroke depressive symptoms.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00071643.