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QUESTION: In patients with moderate depression, how do the effectiveness and safety of Hypericum extract (St John's wort) compare with those of imipramine and placebo?
Design
8 week randomised {allocation concealed*}†, blinded (clinicians and patients),* placebo controlled trial.
Setting
18 general practitioners' practices in Germany.
Patients
263 patients who were 18–65 years of age (mean age 47 y, 75% women) and had a diagnosis of moderate depression; score of ≥18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS); clinical global impression rating of moderate, marked, or severe; and depression lasting ≥4 weeks and ≤ 2 years. Exclusion criteria included bipolar disorders, alcohol or drug dependence, or suicidal risk. 230 patients (87%) completed the …