Use of St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L) in members of a depression self-help organisation: a twelve-week open prospective pilot study using the HADS scale

摘要

The findings of randomised controlled trialsudconfirm that St John’s wort (Hypericumudperforatum L) is effective in reducing symptomsudin mild to moderate depression, but few studiesudhave focused on the effect on anxiety symptoms.udMost studies have employed observer-ratedudscales to measure treatment outcome, only fewudused self-rated scales. We sought to examineudthese issues in a cohort of members of theuddepression self-help organisation DepressionudAlliance UK (n=39). Hospital Anxiety andudDepression (HADS) scales were used at baseline,udprior to St John’s wort administration, and forudsubsequent assessments at weeks 4, 8 and 12.udA subject-rated version of the Clinical GlobaludImpression – Improvement (CGI-I) scale wasudemployed at follow-up assessments. HADSudscores were significantly reduced after takingudSt John’s wort, particularly for those reportingudmilder depression and more severe anxiety.udHADS scores compared well with patientudimprovement ratings, indicating the feasibilityudof use in this population. Controlled studiesudare needed in a larger cohort to examineudthese findings, before definitive conclusions canudbe made.