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ABSTRACT: Objective
Apathy is a common and disabling symptom after stroke with no proven treatments. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are widely used to treat depressive symptoms post-stroke but whether they reduce apathetic symptoms is unknown. We determined the effect of fluoxetine on post-stroke apathy in a post hoc analysis of the EFFECTS (Efficacy oF Fluoxetine-a randomized Controlled Trial in Stroke) trial.Methods
EFFECTS enrolled patients ⩾18 years between 2 and 15 days after stroke onset. Participants were randomly assigned to receive oral fluoxetine 20 mg once daily or matching placebo for 6 months. The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was administered at baseline and 6 months. Individual items on this scale were divided into those reflecting symptoms of apathy and depression. Symptoms were compared between fluoxetine and placebo groups.Results
Of 1500 participants enrolled, complete MADRS data were available for 1369. The modified intention-to-treat population included 681 patients in the fluoxetine group and 688 in the placebo group. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that apathetic, depressive, and anhedonic symptoms were dissociable. Apathy scores increased in both fluoxetine and placebo groups (both p ⩽ 0.00001). In contrast, fluoxetine was associated with a reduction in depressive scores (p = 0.002).Conclusion
Post-stroke apathetic and depressive symptoms respond differently to fluoxetine treatment. Our analysis suggests fluoxetine is ineffective in preventing post-stroke apathy.
SUBMITTER: Tay J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9940155 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Tay Jonathan J Mårtensson Björn B Markus Hugh S HS Lundström Erik E
International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society 20220919 3
<h4>Objective</h4>Apathy is a common and disabling symptom after stroke with no proven treatments. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are widely used to treat depressive symptoms post-stroke but whether they reduce apathetic symptoms is unknown. We determined the effect of fluoxetine on post-stroke apathy in a post hoc analysis of the EFFECTS (Efficacy oF Fluoxetine-a randomized Controlled Trial in Stroke) trial.<h4>Methods</h4>EFFECTS enrolled patients ⩾18 years between 2 and 15 days after ...[more]