Individualized Homeopathic Treatment and Fluoxetine for Moderate to Severe Depression in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women (HOMDEP-MENOP Study): A Randomized, Double-Dummy, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118440
• Publication Date: 2015-03-13T18:18:48Z
• Authors: Emma del Carmen M...; Lidia Llanes-Gonz...; Leopoldo Aguilar-...; Juan Asbun-Bojalil
• Keywords: Depression

Perimenopausal period refers to the interval when women's menstrual cycles become irregular and is characterized by an increased risk of depression. Use homeopathy treat depression widespread but there a lack clinical trials about its efficacy in peri- postmenopausal women. The aim this study was assess safety individualized homeopathic treatment versus placebo fluoxetine women with moderate severe depression.A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, superiority, three-arm trial 6 week follow-up conducted. performed public research hospital Mexico City outpatient service homeopathy. One hundred thirty-three diagnosed major according DSM-IV (moderate intensity) were included. outcomes were: change mean total score among groups on 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Beck Depression Inventory Greene Scale, after weeks treatment, response remission rates, safety. Efficacy data analyzed intention-to-treat population (ANOVA Bonferroni post-hoc test).After 6-week group more effective than 5 points Scale. Response rate 54.5% rate, 15.9%. There significant difference definition only, not rate. Fluoxetine-placebo 3.2 points. No differences observed Inventory. Homeopathic superior Climacteric (8.6 points). Fluoxetine different from Scale.Homeopathy are safe antidepressants climacteric Homeopathy significantly only. Homeopathy, fluoxetine, improves menopausal symptoms scored Scale.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01635218.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01635218 [corrected].