Effects of paroxetine combined with low-dose quetiapine on stress response and endocrine function in patients with treatment-resistant depression and sleep disorders.

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common mental disorder. Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) often experience sleep disorders (SD), which interact with each other and aggravate the deterioration of the disease.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we analyzed the effect of paroxetine combined with low-dose quetiapine on patients with treatment-resistant depression complicated by sleep disorders.

METHODS

We divided treatment-resistant depression + sleep disorders 120 patients into a control group treated with paroxetine and a research group treated with paroxetine + low-dose-quetiapine. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), Self-rating Anxiety and Depression Scale (SAS/SDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and serum indexes (cortisol, epinephrine, thyroid hormone, etc.) were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

In terms of clinical efficacy, the research group demonstrated superior efficacy. Besides, the research group showed lower self-rating anxiety/depression scale scores than the control group after treatment (P<0.05). In terms of sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index of the research group also decreased more significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, better stress injury alleviation and endocrine function improvement were determined in the research group (P<0.05). The two groups were not statistically different in treatment compliance and adverse reactions (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Paroxetine combined with a low dose of quetiapine is a clinically effective approach for treatment-resistant depression with sleep disorders and is recommended for clinical use.