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Background: The purpose of this study was to provide preliminary data on the effects of paroxetine and amisulpride on depressive dimensions, analyzed by factor analysis, in dysthymic patients., Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients with DSM IV criteria for DD without concurrent major depression were enrolled in this 8-week, open study, and 100 completed it. Symptom dimensions were identified by principal components analysis with the SAS Factor procedure., Results: Results of the symptom rating scales indicated that both drugs were equally effective. Response rate was 65% both in the paroxetine and the amisulpride group and the proportions of patients achieving a final HRSD score < or =7 were 46.7 and 55%, respectively. MADRS factor analysis identified two factors at baseline: the first corresponding to the global severity of depression and the second to somatic symptoms. After 8 weeks of treatment only one factor could be substantiated. At week 4 both paroxetine and amisulpride produced significant improvements on factor 1 while at week 8 mean changes of factor 1 were greater in the amisulpride-treated patients., Limitations: The main limitation was the open-label design., Conclusions: Both paroxetine and amisulpride appear to be effective in the short-term management of DD, improving its most characteristic symptoms., (Copright 2002 Elsevier Science BV.)