Citation

Wang G, You X, Wang X, Xu X, Bai L, Xie J, Yao Z, Yi Q, Ma J, Wang J, Zhuo J, Hu C. Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat. 2018; 14: 2087-2097.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Dove Press)

DOI

10.2147/NDT.S164673

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anxiety symptoms usually worsen depression and functional impairment. The present study was aimed to evaluate the impact of escitalopram on social function and quality of life in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with anxiety symptoms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult MDD patients with functional impairment (Sheehan Disability Scale [SDS] score ≥9) and anxiety symptoms (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A] score ≥14) received escitalopram (10-20 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Symptom status was assessed by SDS, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), HAM-A, and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report scales. Safety was evaluated by treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

RESULTS: Overall, 208 (79.7%) of 261 enrolled patients completed the 8-week treatment. Mean (SD) SDS and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form total scores were 17.4 (5.87) and 39.3 (14.43) at baseline, which improved to 7.6 (6.71) and 61.6 (15.80), respectively, at week 8. Totally, 59.2% of patients achieved functional remission (SDS≤6) and 61.7% of patients achieved depression remission (MADRS≤10) at week 8; 48.1% of patients achieved both functional and depression remission (SDS≤6 and MADRS≤10). The change in SDS total score was positively correlated with the change in MADRS and HAM-A total scores at each visit. Patient's baseline SDS score was related with depression score (regression coefficient=0.40582, p=0.0005); remission of SDS was statistically related to a reduction of week 2 and week 6 HAM-A score (p<0.0001) and reduction of MADRS score (p<0.0001). Overall, 25.7% of patients reported ≥1 TEAEs. Most frequently reported TEAEs were nausea (5.8%), diarrhea (2.3%), and dizziness (2.7%). Most TEAEs were mild to moderate in severity. Four patients reported serious TEAEs, two patients reported suicide attempts, and one patient completed suicide.

CONCLUSION: Escitalopram (10-20 mg/day) treatment was efficacious in reducing depression, improving social function, and quality of life in MDD patients with anxiety symptoms. No new safety signals were identified. © 2018 Wang et al.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Anxiety; female; male; quality of life; herbal medicine; depression; anxiety; Major depressive disorder; scoring system; suicide attempt; treatment outcome; disease severity; major clinical study; questionnaire; paroxetine; sertraline; venlafaxine; alprazolam; drug safety; drug efficacy; diarrhea; nausea; disease exacerbation; side effect; escitalopram; QT prolongation; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; clonazepam; Chinese; dizziness; Article; systolic blood pressure; treatment duration; alanine aminotransferase blood level; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; ECG abnormality; Chinese medicine; Escitalopram; Hamilton Anxiety Scale; Social function