Abstract
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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 867-872 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology |
| Volume | 98 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| State | Published - 1989 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology
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Treatment of depressed tinnitus patients with nortriptyline. / Sullivan, M. D.; Sakai, C. S.; Dobie, Robert A; Katon, W. J.
In: Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, Vol. 98, No. 11, 1989, p. 867-872.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of depressed tinnitus patients with nortriptyline
AU - Sullivan, M. D.
AU - Sakai, C. S.
AU - Dobie, Robert A
AU - Katon, W. J.
PY - 1989
Y1 - 1989
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.
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M3 - Article
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 -