Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 20, 1993 TAG: 9304200314
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAROLYN CLICK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dr. Edward Workman and Dr. Delmar Short embarked upon the "meta-analysis" - a quantitative method of examining and comparing past research findings - to determine whether newer anti-depressants are as effective as imipramine, the most commonly prescribed anti-depressant used in the treatment of disease.
Their findings, published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, suggests all four drugs are effective and the three newer drugs, trazodone, bupropion and fluoxetine, are as effective as imipramine.
Imipramine is sold under the brand name Tofranil. Trazodone is prescribed under the brand name Desyrel, while bupropion is sold under the brand name Wellbutrin, and fluoxetine is most commonly known as Prozac.
"Depression will affect 20 percent of the American population," said Workman, a senior resident at the VA hospital and one of six Laughlin Fellows in the country. "It's definitely a disease that can be cured, and it is an absolutely treatable disease.
"Given that all four of these medications are equally efficacious, it makes sense if one doesn't work, another should be tried," said Workman.
Short, chief of psychiatry at the VA Medical Center and the associate chairman of the Department of Psychiatric Medicine at the University of Virginia, said the study "may influence some people's thinking" on the tricyclic family of drugs that imipramine derives from.
Both doctors say they are aware of the powerful nature of the anti-depressants and the side effects that some patients have experienced. Prozac, particularly, has come under public scrutiny for creating emotional instability in some patients and leading to violent acts, including murder and suicide.
The drugs are to be prescribed under physician supervision, and for that reason, Workman and Short believe primary-care physicians should learn as much as possible about depression before prescribing the drugs.
STDs cause hidden emotional trauma
The public is well-versed in the physical and psychological impact of AIDS. But a new study shows victims of less-publicized sexually transmitted diseases also suffer greatly.
The study, conducted by the American Social Health Association and published in the latest issue of the medical journal, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, suggests victims of genital herpes experience isolation, depression and loneliness.
The ASHA surveyed readers of its newsletter for people with herpes. When the 3,000 respondents were asked to catalog their feelings following the first outbreak of the disease, 82 percent reported depression, 75 percent experienced fear of rejection, 69 percent said they felt isolated by the disease and 55 percent feared their secret would be discovered.
That emotional distress lessened as time went on, but a majority of respondents still feared transmitting the disease to their partners.
Study co-author Peggy Clarke said the study underscores how devastating STDs can be. The study found that doctors and other health care professionals could help ease the emotional burden by providing more information about the diseases.
The study coincides with the marking of STD Awareness Month in April. The ASHA operates a national STD hotline which can be reached at (800) 227-8922. Locally, the Roanoke Health Department, 983-7600, can provide assistance for those suffering from the diseases.
Today we inaugurate "Pulse," an occasional column on health care in which staff writer Carolyn Click will share timely information about discoveries in the medical field and ways to improve your health.
by CNB