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Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2004

Open Access 01-12-2004 | Research article

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for the treatment of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS

Authors: R Andrew Shippy, Douglas Mendez, Kristina Jones, Irene Cergnul, Stephen E Karpiak

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2004

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Abstract

Background

This study reports on clinical data from an 8-week open-label study of 20 HIV-seropositive individuals, diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (DSM-IV), who were treated with SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine). SAM-e may be a treatment alternative for the management of depression in a population reluctant to add another "pill" or another set of related side effects to an already complex highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen.

Methods

The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess depressive symptomatology from 1,2,4,6 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment with SAM-e.

Results

Data show a significant acute reduction in depressive symptomatology, as measured by both the HAM-D and the BDI instruments.

Conclusions

SAM-e has a rapid effect evident as soon as week 1 (p < .001), with progressive decreases in depression symptom rating scores throughout the 8 week study.
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Metadata
Title
S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for the treatment of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS
Authors
R Andrew Shippy
Douglas Mendez
Kristina Jones
Irene Cergnul
Stephen E Karpiak
Publication date
01-12-2004
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-4-38

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