A comparative study between Escitalopram and Sertraline in the treatment of depression induced by Alzheimer disease

Objective: To compare the efficacy and security of Escitalopram and Sertraline in the treatment of depression induced by Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: 60 patients with depression induced by AD were randomly divided into the treatment groups of Escitalopram and Sertraline for 6 weeks. Clinical progress was examined with MADRS, TESS and MMSE at the pre-treatment and the end of 1,2,4,6 week after treatment. Results: The response rate was 70% for Escitalopram group and 63% for Sertraline group respectively, without statistically significant difference between two groups (P0.05), but Escitalopram had a quick effect. The comparison of the adverse events frequency rates of two groups had no differencial meaning (P0.05). The two drugs did not aggravate the cognitive function of AD patients. Conclusion: Escitalopram and Sertraline have similar therapeutic efficacy and good compliance in the treatment of depression associated with Alzheimer disease, all the side effects were mild, the two drugs did not aggravate the cognitive function of AD patients. Escitalopram has a quick effect, could be the first-line of preferred antidepressants in the treatment of depression associated with Alzheimer disease.