Suhera M Aburawi
Clinical prospective double blind study was carried out to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid on mental depression therapy and the possible therapeutic interaction with the pharmacotherapy of the disease. The study involves twenty two outpatients. The psychiatrist assessed diagnostic status according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV) and prescribes a suitable antidepressant drugs to the patients. Patients were assessed at baseline before medication started and after eight-week. The principal measure of the outcome was Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D 17-item). The mean decrease in HAM-D score from baseline was used as the main outcome measure of response of depression to treatment. The physical examination and clinical laboratory investigations including a complete urine analysis, biochemical, haematology analysis, and plasma ascorbic acid was measured, at baseline and after eight-week of receiving both ascorbic acid or placebo.
