Escitalopram versus placebo in the treatment of dysthymic disorder.

Numerous studies have assessed the acute efficacy of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in treating dysthymic disorder; however, escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of citalopram, has not been studied. Thirty-six outpatients with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R-diagnosed dysthymic disorder, aged 23-65 years (mean±SD=44.7±11 years), were randomly assigned to double-blind escitalopram (maximum dose 20 mg/day) versus placebo for 12 weeks.

Can telepsychiatry replace in-person psychiatric assessments? A review and meta-analysis of comparison studies.

Objective: The authors conducted a review and meta-analysis of the literature comparing telepsychiatry with "in-person" psychiatric assessments.

Method: Approximately 380 studies on telepsychiatry published between 1956 and 2002 were identified using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and cross-referenced bibliographies. Of these, 14 studies with an N > 10 compared telepsychiatry with in-person psychiatry (I-P) using objective assessment instruments or satisfaction instruments.

Legal and ethical challenges in telepsychiatry.

Telepsychiatry in the 21st century poses a wide range of legal and ethical challenges. The authors review issues related to licensure, credentialing, privacy, security, confidentiality, informed consent, and professional liability in the use of telepsychiatry services and illustrate the discussion with hypothetical clinical vignettes. It is clear that there will be a need in the immediate future to create legal instruments as well as formal professional ethical guidelines for the practice of telepsychiatry.

Citalopram in the treatment of dysthymic disorder.

This study aimed to provide preliminary data on the tolerability and effectiveness of citalopram for patients with dysthymic disorder. Twenty-one adult subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for dysthymic disorder were enrolled in this 12-week open-label study, of whom 15 had pure dysthymia (e.g.

A review of the costs of telepsychiatry.

Objective: S: The issue of whether telepsychiatry is worth the cost or whether it pays for itself is controversial. This study investigated this question by reviewing telepsychiatry literature that focused on cost.

Method: S: Approximately 380 studies on telepsychiatry published from 1956 through 2002 were identified through MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and cross-referenced bibliographies.