Abstract:

AIM: To investigate the effects of aripiprazole combined with escitalopram oxalate on DA, 5-HT and cortisol in patients with severe depression.  METHODS: 94 patients with severe depression were divided into observation group and control group. The control group was treated with escitalopram oxalate. The observation group was treated with aripiprazole combined with escitalopram oxalate. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess the depressive state of patients. The levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and cortisol were measured before and after treatment in both groups. Health status questionnaire (SF-36) was used to assess patients' quality of life, including physiological function, physical pain, physiological function, mental health, emotional function, life vitality, social function and overall health. The occurrences of adverse reactions in the course of treatment in two groups were observed. RESULTS:The effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, cortisol and HAMD-17 scores in both groups decreased significantly as compared with before treatment, while DA and 5-HT increased significantly (P<0.05). After treatment, cortisol and HAMD-17 scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, while DA and 5-HT scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the physiological function, physical pain, physiological function, mental health, emotional function, vitality, social function and overall health of the two groups increased significantly (P<0.05). After treatment, the physiological function, physical pain, physiological function, mental health, emotional function, vitality, social function and overall health of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. CONCLUSION:Aripiprazole can further regulate the levels of DA, 5-HT and cortisol in patients with severe depression, and improve the clinical efficacy and quality of life.

Key words: aripiprazole, escitalopram oxalate, severe depression, dopamine, 5-HT, cortisol