Objective@#This study aimed to compare the
efficacy and
safety of
escitalopram ,
vortioxetine , and
desvenlafaxine for acute
treatment of
major depressive disorder (MDD) with cognitive complaint (CC). @*
Methods @#A total of 129
patients with MDD
who also complained of CC were randomized evenly to either
escitalopram ,
vortioxetine , or
desvenlafaxine group and underwent a multi-center, six-week, rater-blinded, and
head -to-
head comparative trial. Differences in
depressive symptoms following
treatment were measured using the Hamilton
Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Montgomery-Åsberg
Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Subjective
cognitive function and the presence of adverse events were assessed. @*Results@#The three
antidepressant treatment groups did not show significant differences in the improvement of
depressive symptoms as measured by HAMD and MADRS.
Desvenlafaxine treatment was associated with a superior
treatment response rate in
depressive symptoms compared to
vortioxetine or
escitalopram treatment . However, no significant differences were found in the remission rate of
depressive symptoms . The three
antidepressant treatment groups did not show significant differences in the improvement of CC. Adverse profiles of each
treatment group were tolerable, with no significant differences. @*Conclusion@#In acute
antidepressant treatment for MDD with CC,
escitalopram ,
vortioxetine , and
desvenlafaxine presented
similar efficacy in relief of
depressive symptoms ; however,
desvenlafaxine was associated with a superior
treatment . Further studies are needed to confirm these results by investigating the
therapeutic efficacy and
safety profile of long-term
antidepressant treatment of MDD with CC (
Clinical Trial Registry , http//cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en/ KCT0002173).