The effects of venlafaxine on social activity level in depressed outpatients

Background: Although most depression treat ment outcome scales focus on sym ptoms, depression also affects daily functioning, social activity, and qual ity of life. We examined the effects of venlafaxine on social activity, gen eral life functioning, and depressive symptoms in 2 placebo-controlled clin ical trials of venlafaxine. Method: Subjects were 600 outpatients with major depression (DSM-III-R crit eria). Treatment outcomes were examined separately in each study, primarily because of differing lengths of follow-up. Results: Treatment with venlafaxine significantly improved activity level, general life functioning, and depressive symptoms. Treatment accounted for statistically significant changes in both activity level and general life f unctioning even after controlling for changes in depression. Conclusion: We provide evidence that social activity is a behavioral domain distinct from depressive symptoms and that venlafaxine improves social act ivity level and general life functioning in addition to its positive effect s on depressive symptoms in outpatients with major depression.