Suzuki, N., Ninomiya, M., Maruta, T., Hosonuma, S., Yoshioka, N., Ohara, T., . . . Ishizuka, B. (2011). Clinical study on the efficacy of fluvoxamine for psychological distress in gynecologic cancer patients. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 21, 1143–1149.
To investigate the safety and efficacy of fluvoxamine to treat anxiety and depression in patients with gynecologic cancer
For eight weeks patients were treated with escalating doses:
Subjects were evaluated at two, four, six, and eight weeks.
Patients were undergoing active antitumor treatment.
Prospective trial design
Compared to HADS anxiety and depression scores at baseline, the scores were significantly lower after four weeks of treatment (p < 0.05) and remained significantly lower. After eight weeks, researchers noted significant improvements in SF-36 scores for vitality, mental health, and emotional role functioning (p < 0.05). No adverse effects of treatment were reported.
Fluvoxamine treatment of patients with gynecologic cancer who had clinically relevant anxiety and depression appears to reduce anxiety and depression. The small study sample precludes firm conclusions.
Fluvoxamine as provided appeared to be effective in management of clinically relevant anxiety and depression in women with gynecologic cancer. Studies of anxiety and depression are often done with patients who do not have clinically significant problems in these areas at baseline, often making findings nonsignificant. This study provided some support for effective use of medication in patients with clinically relevant levels of anxiety and depression. The sample was very small, and the study design had multiple risks of bias. To determine which groups of patients can benefit from treatment, larger, well-designed trials are warranted.