Free T4 index and clinical outcome in patients with depression.

Introduction: Many studies of patients with major depression have reported that a significant decrease in serum free T(4) index is associated with specific treatments; what has been unanswered is whether these observations are generalizable. This study evaluated baseline thyroid function and its relationship to rapidity of treatment response as measured by hospital length of stay (HLOS).

Methods: Admission thyroid indices and HLOS data were harvested from the medical record of patients hospitalized for depression, both unipolar and bipolar.

MethyPatch Noven.

Noven Pharmaceuticals is developing a transdermal patch formulation of methylphenidate for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [325808]. Phase III trials were completed in February 2002 [438893]; at this time, the company predicted a 2003 launch for the product [441478]. In April 2002, based on pivotal phase III trial results, Noven expected to file an NDA with the FDA in mid-2002 and to launch the product in the second half of 2003 [445181].