meta-analysis of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris) compared to tricyclic antidepressants (tcas) in the efficacy and safety of anti-depression therapy in parkinson᾽s disease(pd) patients

this meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of ssris and tcas in treatment of pd. a computer-base search was conducted of pubmed, medline, embase, cochrane controlled trails register (cctr) up to december 2011. the random controlled clinic trials about ssris and tcas in pd treatment were collected. statistical analysis was completed using review manager, version 5.0. five clinic controlled trials were identified for this meta-analysis. there was no significant statistical difference in the response rate of treatment [rr 0.95, 95%ci (0.78, 1.16)] and hamd score [rr -2.54, 95%ci (-5.35, 0.26)] between two groups. in term of complications, there was no statistical difference in the insomnia rate between two groups [rr 0.82, 95%ci (0.24, 2.84)], while compared with tcas group, ssris group was associated with a lower incidence rate for xerostomia [rr 0.21, 95%ci (0.07, 0.65)] and constipation [rr 0.12, 95%ci(0.02, 0.63)], and there was significant statistical difference between these two groups. ssris could reduce the incident rate for xerostomia and constipation in pd treatment, comparing with tcas. in order to clearly assess the efficacy and safety of ssris in pd therapy, new large and high quality clinic random controlled trials are needed.