S. Dorz et al., A naturalistic study on the criteria of choice of second-generation antidepressants: A comparison of venlafaxine and SSRIs in depressed inpatients, INT J PSYC, 5(3), 2001, pp. 173-178
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare, in a naturalistic
setting, the efficacy and tolerability of selective serotonin reuptake inh
ibitors (paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram) and venlafaxine, in 120 depres
sed inpatients. This paper attempts to review which variables may influence
a physician's choice of a specific antidepressant for a specific patient.
Method: Patients were assessed using the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale
for Depression (HAM-D), the Montgomery-Asbeyg, Depression Rating Scale (MAD
RS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Symptoms Check List (SCL-
90). The two groups under assessment were comparable in all socio-demograph
ic characteristics. We used logistic regression analyses to identify variab
les that differentiate the two groups at baseline. This, in turn, would rep
resent those variables with the potential to influence a physician's select
ion of an antidepressant.
Results: Venlafaxine patients reported significantly worse scores on MADRS
at baseline, but any difference was no longer present at discharge. We foun
d no significant variation in the efficacy of the antidepressants under stu
dy and there were no differences in the incidence and profiles of adverse e
vents between the groups of patients.
Conclusion: The degree of severity of the actual depressive picture appears
to influence choice in favour of venlafaxine. However, it appears that the
choice of SSRIs is more closely linked to patients who present a previous
history of non-mood psychiatric symptoms.