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CGP - Abstract
CGP - Abstract
CGP - Abstract
Scores
Clinical Question/Issue: Does the combination of SSRI’s and psychotherapy improve HAM-D
scores compared to the use of SSRI’s alone in women over the age of 40 with major depression
disorder?
Discussion: The literature review discusses six research studies that all demonstrate an
improvement in HAM-D scores with combination therapy of SSRI and psychotherapy. The
review appraisal consisted of five articles that are level two category of evidence, given that that
they are research articles of randomized controlled trials and one meta-analysis. The common
theme amongst the studies reflect the preference of psychotherapy as a treatment to either
augment or use as a sole treatment plan for depression that improved HAM-D scores. It was also
noted that patients that do not respond to a single method of treatment significantly benefit from
a combination therapy of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. The pharmacological
method of treatment preferred amongst the elder is SSRI’s due to its decreased interaction to
polypharmacy. Evidence implicated improvement in HAM-D scores and sustained length of
remission for patients who participated in combination therapy.