ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This randomised, double-blind, 12-week study compared efficacy and tolerability of flexible-dose treatment with vortioxetine(10-20 mg/day) versus agomelatine (25-50 mg/day) in major depressive disorder patients with inadequate response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) monotherapy. METHODS: Patients were switched directly from SSRI/SNRI to vortioxetine or agomelatine. Primary endpoint was change from baseline to week 8 in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score analysed by mixed model for repeated measurements, using a noninferiority test followed by a superiority test. Secondary endpoints included response and remission rates, anxiety symptoms(Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale), Clinical Global Impression, overall functioning (Sheehan Disability Scale), health-related quality of life(EuroQol 5 Dimensions), productivity (work limitation questionnaire) and family functioning (Depression and Family Functioning Scale). RESULTS: Primary endpoint noninferiority was established and vortioxetine (n = 252) was superior to agomelatine (n = 241) by 2.2 MADRS points (p<0.01). Vortioxetine was also significantly superior in response and remission rates at weeks 8 and 12; MADRS, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression, Sheehan Disability Scale and EuroQol 5 Dimensions scores at week 4 onwards; work limitation questionnaire at week 8 and Depression and Family Functioning Scale at weeks 8 and 12. Fewer patients withdrew because of adverse events with vortioxetine (5.9% vs 9.5%). Adverse events (incidence ≥5%) were nausea, headache, dizziness and somnolence. CONCLUSIONS: Vortioxetine was noninferior and significantly superior to agomelatine in major depressive disorder patients with previous inadequate response to a single course of SSRI/SNRI monotherapy. Vortioxetine was safe and well tolerated.
Subject(s)
Acetamides/therapeutic use , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy , Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant/drug therapy , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Sulfides/therapeutic use , Acetamides/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Piperazines/adverse effects , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Sulfides/adverse effects , Treatment Outcome , Vortioxetine , Young AdultABSTRACT
On the basis of 3-week studies, lithium and valproate are both recommended for first-line treatment of acute mania. It is, however, also important to demonstrate that antimanic efficacy can be maintained. This study has been designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of valproate and lithium over 12 weeks in the treatment of acute mania in patients with type I bipolar disorder. Three hundred patients with bipolar I disorder presenting with acute mania were randomized to open treatment with lithium (starting dose: 400 mg/day) or valproate (starting dose: 20 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy criterion was remission (YMRS score
Subject(s)
Antimanic Agents/therapeutic use , Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Lithium Carbonate/therapeutic use , Valproic Acid/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antimanic Agents/adverse effects , Antimanic Agents/blood , Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Humans , Lithium Carbonate/adverse effects , Lithium Carbonate/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Treatment Outcome , Valproic Acid/adverse effects , Valproic Acid/bloodABSTRACT
Major depression is a common illness, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 10-13% for men and 21-24% for women. The experience of having a serious illness such as major depression affects the individual's quality of life and requires significant adaptation in order to cope. The aim of this study was to explore sense of coherence and social support in patients treated for a first episode of major depression in a 1-year follow up. The study design was prospective and longitudinal. A total of 24 patients, aged 18 years or over, with a first episode of major depression were included. Semi-structured interviews and self-assessment questionnaires were used at baseline as well as in a 1-year follow up in order to measure the level of severity of the depression, social support, and sense of coherence. The result showed that 71% of the patients had recovered at follow up. The sense of coherence scores were low at baseline, although the patients who recovered increased their sense of coherence scores significantly. Another factor of importance for recovery was a significant increase in social support. Social support is an important cornerstone in the restoration of a person's sense of coherence. It can be used in interventions that include the patient's family or close social network in combination with support to assist the patient to view his/her situation as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful, thereby promoting or improving health. Mental health nurses are in a key position to identify patients' strengths and weaknesses so that the support and interventions provided can be tailored to meet the needs of each patient.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Attitude to Health , Convalescence/psychology , Depressive Disorder, Major , Self Concept , Social Support , Adult , Depressive Disorder, Major/prevention & control , Depressive Disorder, Major/psychology , Family/psychology , Female , Friends/psychology , Humans , Internal-External Control , Interview, Psychological , Life Change Events , Male , Middle Aged , Nurse's Role/psychology , Nursing Assessment , Prospective Studies , Psychiatric Nursing/organization & administration , Quality of Life , Severity of Illness Index , Surveys and Questionnaires , SwedenABSTRACT
About five percent of the Swedes are treated with antidepressants, mostly SSRI:s. One third of those are non-responders. In that situation augmentation with a noradrenergic drug, such as reboxetine, can be a successful treatment strategy. This paper discusses clinical and scientific experiences of combinating SSRI:s and NRI:s.
Subject(s)
Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Depression/drug therapy , Morpholines/therapeutic use , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/therapeutic use , Drug Resistance , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , ReboxetineABSTRACT
The experience of having a severe disease such as major depression affects all aspects of the individual's life, including family, work, and social functioning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe, from a salutogenic approach, women's conceptions of coping with major depression in daily life with the help of professional and lay support. Thirteen women, previously hospitalized for major depression, were included in the study. The women were selected by strategic sampling, and data were analyzed by application of a phenomenographic approach. Four descriptive categories emerged: Self-Healing, Managing, Receiving Social Support, and Finding Meaning. While working their way out of the depression, the women needed to undergo a process of transition, involving both a cognitive and an emotional understanding, which they subsequently translated into health-related actions. The task of psychiatric mental health nurses is to provide care that empowers patients. Future nursing research should explore the circumstances that empower these women to start the transition process, as this process appears to be vital for recovery from major depression.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Depressive Disorder, Major/psychology , Health Behavior , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Sampling Studies , Social SupportABSTRACT
Worldwide, major depression is one of the main causes of premature death and lowered functional capacity, and its importance will increase in the coming years. At the same time, there is a gap in service provision, and the needs of depressed patients are often not met. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe how men (N=12) with major depression (DSM-IV) cope with daily life with the help of professional and lay support. The men were selected by strategic sampling and analysed with an approach inspired by phenomenography. Four descriptive categories emerged: being unburdened, restoring one's health, feeling involved, and finding a meaning. A man receives help and support from health care in restoring his health but his own path to getting well is to resume his place in the public domain. To help him do so, lay support is vital, and an important task for the nurse is, therefore, to support him in maintaining his existing social network or in building a new one.