Impact of SAfinamide on Depressive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease Patients (SADness-PD Study): A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background: We aimed to assess the effects of safinamide on depression, motor symptoms, and the serotonin syndrome related to its co-administration with antidepressants in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients at 1 and 3 months of follow-up compared to baseline. Results: n = 82 (safinamide 50 mg = 22, 100 mg = 60, with antidepressants = 44). First, we found improvement in depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale: -6 +/- 5.10 at 1 month and -7.27 +/- 5.10 at 3 months, p < 0.0001; Patient Global Impression of Improvement Scale: 60.3% and 69.5% of patients at 1 and 3 months reported some improvement). Second, safinamide improved the daily life activities and motor symptoms/motor complications (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-II): -2.51 +/- 6.30 and -2.47 +/- 6.11 at 1 and 3 months, p < 0.0001; III: -3.58 +/- 8.68 and -4.03 +/- 8.95 at 1 and 3 months, p < 0.0001; W: -0.61 +/- 2.61 and -0.8 +/- 2.53 at 1 and 3 months, p < 0.0001). Third, 7.31% and 8.53% of patients developed nonsevere adverse events related to safinamide at 1 and 3 months. Serotonin syndrome was not observed in the patients treated with antidepressants; some isolated serotonin syndrome symptoms were reported. Conclusions: Safinamide could be useful for treating depression in PD; it was effective for motor symptoms and motor complications and safe even when co-administered with antidepressants.

Automated summary

The study showed that safinamide had significant effects on depression, motor symptoms, and motor complications in patients with Parkinson's disease. Some patients demonstrated improvement, and there were no severe cases of serotonin syndrome observed in patients co-administered with antidepressants and safinamide.