TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of depressed tinnitus patients with nortriptyline
AU - Sullivan, Mark D.
AU - Sakai, Connie S.
AU - Dobie, Robert A.
AU - Katon, Wayne J.
PY - 1989/11
Y1 - 1989/11
N2 - Patients disabled by tinnitus show a high prevalence of major depression. Furthermore, tinnitus produces patterns of disability similar to those produced by major depression. To explore further this link between tinnitus and depression, and to investigate the efficacy of treating depression in the treatment of tinnitus, a single-blind, placebo-washout, nonrandomized pilot study of the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline (hydrochloride) was undertaken in disabled tinnitus patients who also met diagnostic criteria for major depression. Nineteen patients began the study, two responded to placebo, and two dropped out prior to completion. Fourteen considered their tinnitus improved, and 12 chose to continue taking nortriptyline after the study. Depression severity decreased, on the average, by 65% (p<.0001). Tinnitus loudness measured by audiometric matching decreased by a mean of 10 dB or 50% (p<.02). Self-reports of tinnitus loudness and severity, somatic and psychologic symptoms, and psychosocial dysfunction all showed significant improvement with treatment. These results suggest that what initially appears to be an irreversible otologic disability in these patients may be in large part a reversible psychiatric disability.
AB - Patients disabled by tinnitus show a high prevalence of major depression. Furthermore, tinnitus produces patterns of disability similar to those produced by major depression. To explore further this link between tinnitus and depression, and to investigate the efficacy of treating depression in the treatment of tinnitus, a single-blind, placebo-washout, nonrandomized pilot study of the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline (hydrochloride) was undertaken in disabled tinnitus patients who also met diagnostic criteria for major depression. Nineteen patients began the study, two responded to placebo, and two dropped out prior to completion. Fourteen considered their tinnitus improved, and 12 chose to continue taking nortriptyline after the study. Depression severity decreased, on the average, by 65% (p<.0001). Tinnitus loudness measured by audiometric matching decreased by a mean of 10 dB or 50% (p<.02). Self-reports of tinnitus loudness and severity, somatic and psychologic symptoms, and psychosocial dysfunction all showed significant improvement with treatment. These results suggest that what initially appears to be an irreversible otologic disability in these patients may be in large part a reversible psychiatric disability.
KW - depression
KW - tinnitus
KW - tricyclic antidepressant
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U2 - 10.1177/000348948909801107
DO - 10.1177/000348948909801107
M3 - Article
C2 - 2817678
AN - SCOPUS:0024429431
VL - 98
SP - 867
EP - 872
JO - Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
JF - Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
SN - 0003-4894
IS - 11
ER -