Characteristics of Included Studies
| Characteristic | Publication Year 1996 (1971, 2012) |
|---|---|
| Number of patients | |
| Total | 15,161 |
| Median (minimum, maximum) | 162 (21, 1,385) |
| Diagnosis, No. (%) | |
| Major depression only | 38 (58) |
| Mixed/unclear | 25 (38) |
| Minor depression/dysthymia | 3 (5) |
| Classification of depression, No. (%) | |
| Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) | 15 (23) |
| Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Third Edition) | 24 (36) |
| International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision | 6 (9) |
| International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision | 4 (6) |
| Research Diagnostic Criteria | 4 (6) |
| Not reported/other | 13 (20) |
| Restricted to patients >55 y, No. (%) | 8 (12) |
| Median length of treatment in weeks (minimum, maximum) | 6 (4, 52) |
| Overall risk of bias, No. (%) | |
| High (high risk in 1 or more items) | 32 (49) |
| Unclear (no item high risk, <3 low risk) | 23 (35) |
| Low (at least 3 low, no high risk) | 11 (17) |
| Data available for meta-analysis, No. (%) | |
| Response | 59 (89) |
| Remission | 55 (83) |
| Total number of patients dropping out | 60 (91) |
| Number of patients dropping out due to adverse effects | 58 (88) |
| Number of patients reporting adverse effects | 40 (61) |