Objective: To explore the efficacies and safety of combined treatment of remifemin and paroxetine for perimenopausal depression.
Methods: A total of 120 patients with perimenopausal depression were digital randomly divided into the treatment and control groups (n = 60 each). The treatment group received oral remifemin one tablet twice daily and paroxetine 20 mg once daily for 2 months while the control group oral paroxetine 20 mg once daily for 2 months. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Kupperman scale were used to assess the therapeutic efficacies. Blood and urine routine, electrocardiography, liver function, kidney function and blood pressure before and after treatment were examined to assess the side effects.
Results: For the improvement of perimenopausal depression on HAMD, the total effective rates of the treatment and control groups were 88.3% and 78.3% respectively. The therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After 8-week treatment, Kupperman menopausal indices of the treatment and control groups were 9.89 ± 3.76 and 15.75 ± 5.84 respectively. There was also significant difference (P < 0.01). No significant changes existed in blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function, blood pressure, ECG or blood pressure before and after treatment (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The combined treatment of remifemin and paroxetine for perimenopausal depression can improve the efficacies. It is easily accepted by patients for its higher safety and fewer side-effects. It is worthy of a wider application and further researches.