EFFICACY OF ORG-3770 (MIRTAZAPINE) VS AMITRIPTYLINE IN PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER - A METAANALYSIS

Results are presented from a meta-analysis performed on short-term eff icacy data from five randomized, double-blind, amitriptyline-controlle d studies of Org 3770. All participating patients (n=814) had a DSM II I diagnosis of moderate or severe Major Depressive Episode, and the ma jority of them was hospitalized. Efficacy of treatments was compared o n an Intent-to-Treat basis; 732 patients were available for this type of analysis. Primary efficacy variables were changes from baseline in group mean 17-item HAMD scores and percentages of responders. The resu lts of the meta-analysis are in agreement with those from individual s tudies, consistently showing that there are no statistically nor clini cally relevant differences in efficacy of Org 3770 and amitriptyline t hroughout the study period and at endpoint.