The effect of escitalopram on biomarkers of depression in patients of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) suffering with depression

Aim To study the effect of Escitalopram on biomarkers of depression in patients of   multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) suffering with depression. Material and Methods Total 35 diagnosed MDR TB patients were selected from Tuberculosis and Respiratory diseases department complaining depression symptoms in their MDR TB treatment follow up. These patients were referred to Psychiatry OPD for diagnosis of depression. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score was computed to categorize depression as mild, moderate and severe depression. 24 MDR TB patients diagnosed with mild to moderate depression were enrolled.Escitalopram (10mg) were administered to enrolled patients already taken Standard MDR-tuberculosis treatment. Follow up was done at day 30 and day 120. Depression improvement assessed by HDRS score and biomarker alterations assessed by serum lipid profile- Serum cholesterol, Triglyceride (Tg), Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL). Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 and paired t – test. Result Total 19 patients had completed the study. 3 and 2 patients were lost in follow up at day 30 and 120 respectively.  Baseline HDRS score (13.53 ± 2.58) were decreased at day 30 (6.11 ± 1.28) and Day 120 (3.05 ± 0.91) which were significant (p˂0.001). Lipid profile parameters were not increased significantly at any follow up. Conclusion Escitalopram drug therapy improved depression symptoms without significantly affecting the biomarkers for depression (lipid profile).