Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34598683›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2021

Tricyclic antidepressants for major depressive disorder: a comprehensive evaluation of current practice in the Netherlands.

Cornelis F Vos, Rob E Aarnoutse, Marijke J M Op de Coul, Jan Spijker, Mascha M Groothedde-Kuyvenhoven, Raluca Mihaescu, Sonja J W Wessels-Basten, Jordy J E Rovers, Sophie E Ter Hark, Aart H Schene and 2 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 15% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed, 22 citations in OpenAlex.

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  5. Tricyclic antidepressants dose-dependently modulate the biphasic activity of the TRPC5 channel through opioid receptors.The Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology : official journal of the Korean Physiological Society and the Korean Society of Pharmacology · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. From Stress to Synapse: The Neuronal Atrophy Pathway to Mood Dysregulation.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  8. Article
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  11. Analysis of the anti-Candida activity of tricyclic antidepressants in association with amphotericin B and their antifungal mechanisms.Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology] · 2024
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors at 5 institutions in 1 country.

Cornelis F VosDepartment of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 10, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. niels.vos@radboudumc.nl.
Rob E AarnoutseDepartment of Pharmacy, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Marijke J M Op de CoulRadboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Jan SpijkerRadboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Mascha M Groothedde-KuyvenhovenDeventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands.
Raluca MihaescuCatharina Hospital Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Sonja J W Wessels-BastenCatharina Hospital Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Jordy J E RoversVincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.
Sophie E Ter HarkDepartment of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 10, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Aart H ScheneDepartment of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 10, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Marlies E J L HulscherScientific Center for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Joost G E JanzingDepartment of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 10, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Radboud University Nijmegen · NLRadboud University Medical Center · NLDeventer Ziekenhuis · NLPro Persona · NLVincent Van Gogh Voor Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg · NL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTraditionally tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have an important place in treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Today, often other antidepressant medications are considered as first step in the pharmacological treatment of MDD, mainly because they are associated with less adverse effects, whereby the position of TCAs appears unclear. In this study we aimed to examine the current practice of TCAs in treatment of unipolar MDD.

methodsA mixed methods approach was applied. First, a selection of leading international and national guidelines was reviewed. Second, actual TCA prescription was examined by analyzing health records of 75 MDD patients treated with the TCAs nortriptyline, clomipramine or imipramine in different centers in the Netherlands. Third, promotors and barriers influencing the choice for TCAs and dosing strategies were explored using semi-structured interviews with 24 Dutch psychiatrists.

resultsClinical practice guidelines were sometimes indirective and inconsistent with each other. Health records revealed that most patients (71%) attained therapeutic plasma concentrations within two months of TCA use. Patients who achieved therapeutic plasma concentrations reached them on average after 19.6 days (SD 10.9). Both health records and interviews indicated that therapeutic nortriptyline concentrations were attained faster compared to other TCAs. Various factors were identified influencing the choice for TCAs and dosing by psychiatrists.

conclusionsGuideline recommendations and clinical practice regarding TCA prescription for MDD vary. To increase consistency in clinical practice we recommend development of an up-to-date guideline integrating selection and dosing of TCAs, including the roles of therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacogenetics. Such a guideline is currently lacking and would contribute to optimal TCA treatment, whereby efficacy and tolerability may be increased.

Indexed as

Antidepressive Agents, TricyclicMajor Depressive DisorderHumansNetherlandsAntidepressive Agents, TricyclicAntidepressant agentsClinical practice guidelinesMajor depressive disorderQualitative approachTricyclic antidepressants

Identifiers

PMID34598683
PMCPMC8487125
OpenAlexW3203006771

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.