Efficacy of Transmural Collaborative Care with Consultation Letter and Duloxetine for Major Depressive Disorder and (sub)chronic Pain in Primary Care: A Randomised Placebo-controlled Multi-centre Trial. (WC2007-069)
Background
Starting date: 01/09/2010Depression and pain do often co-occur, the burden is very high and these patients regularly visit their general practitioner. Treatment for pain and depression in primary care is difficult. Since pain and depression can reinforce each other, it is important to focus treatment on both pain and depression simultaneously. Research has indicated that collaborative care treatment for pain and depressive symptoms can be feasible and effective. In addition, there are indications that the antidepressant duloxetine can be effective in the treatment of pain symptoms in patients with depression. Collaborative care for depression and pain offers a promising new avenue. This study is a three-armed randomized trial. The aim is to establish the (cost-)effectiveness of a collaborative care intervention plus duloxetine or placebo for pain and depression, versus duloxetine treatment alone in the primary care setting.