The Effect of Sertreline Versus Nortriptyline on Quality of Life and Depression After Stroke:A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study

Background and Objective: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants are utilized for treatment of post stroke depression, reduced quality of life and poor compliance.  This study compared the effects of sertraline and nortriptyline on the quality of life and depression in post-stroke patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind trial was conducted on 56 stroke patients admitted to Valiasr Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, 2016. Patients were randomly allocated in two groups by simple randomization and received sertraline in one group, nortriptyline in the other and nobody received placebo. Patients were screened for depression using BDI (II) questionnaire and those without depression were entered into study. During follow-up, patients completed a quality of life questionnaire named Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Data were analysed using repeated measure and Bonferroni tests in SPSS 22. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients in sertraline and nortriptyline groups were 61.7 and 63.6, respectively (P=0.194). No significant differences were observed for sex, marital status and education between two groups. The mean score of total quality of life and its dimensions decreased significantly during 6 months for both groups (P=0.001). The effect of sertraline in these reductions was not different from nortriptyline (P=0.60). The proportions of moderate or severe depression were 17.9% and 37.0% in sertraline and nortriptyline groups, respectively (P=0.24). Conclusion: Both sertraline and nortriptyline improved all aspects of quality of life and their effect on prevention of depression was similar. Therefore, the administration of sertraline or nortriptyline could be beneficial in post-stroke patients.