Treatment of depression in type 2 diabetes with Fluoxetine or Citalopram?

OBJECTIVE: Comparing the antidepressant effects of Citalopram with Fluoxetine and their effect on glycemic control in diabetic patients.

METHODS: Forty patients attending the Diabetes Research Center in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran from September 2006 to October 2007 with type II diabetes and suffering from major depression were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n=20 per group) in a randomized controlled trial method. They received up to 40mg/d of Fluoxetine or Citalopram. Twelve weeks after treatment, patients were reassessed in terms of severity of depression and diabetic status. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and psychiatric interview were used to measure the severity of depression and follow up the patients. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and fasting blood sugar (FBS) was obtained to monitor glycemic control.

RESULTS: After the 12-week treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in severity of depression, FBS, and HbA1c. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of improvement in depression and diabetic status.

CONCLUSION: Fluoxetine and Citalopram can effectively reduce the severity of depression in diabetic patients without an adverse effect on glycemic control.