A Randomized prospective observational study to evaluate the outcome of a SSRI, fluoxetine on memory functions in patients attending psychiatry OPD in a tertiary care hospital

Background: The availability and use of drugs with demonstrable efficacy in psychiatric disorders has grown since the late 1950s. 10% to 15% of prescriptions written are for medications intended to affect mental processes—to sedate, stimulate or otherwise modify mood, thinking or behavior. Aim & objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the outcome of a SSRI, fluoxetine on memory functions in patients of two different age groups with minor mental illnesses, on long term administration. For this study, patients attending psychiatry OPD in Govt. Stanley medical college & hospital were included and simple subjective tests were carried out to evaluate memory functions. Materials and Methods: Memory functions were evaluated using the Wechsler memory scale which consists of seven subsets. Patient’s memory was evaluated before treatment, then at the end of 15 days and finally at the end of one month after administration of fluoxetine. Statistical analysis was carried out using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results & conclusion: The results of this study reveal that there was no deterioration in memory functions at first follow-up and they remain the same up to the end of one month. Rather it was observed that there was improvement in memory functions. So, final score of the parameters is because of the resultant activity of direct drug action and improvement in the underlying disease. Keywords: Wechsler memory scale, fluoxetine, anti depressants