Paroxetine in the treatment of dysthymic disorder without co-morbidities: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose study

Abstract Few published studies have evaluated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in dysthymia without current co-morbid major depression. In this 12-week study, 40 dysthymic patients were randomly assigned to either placebo ( n  = 19) or 20–40 mg/day of paroxetine ( n  = 21). At endpoint, the paroxetine group showed significantly greater improvement on the Clinical Global Impression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire ( p p p  = 0.04). Reporting of multiple side effects was also higher with paroxetine than with placebo ( p  = 0.02). Paroxetine is more effective than placebo in improving symptoms and quality of life in dysthymia, and is generally tolerable.