[Treatment with venlafaxine extended release for climacteric women with depression or anxiety diagnosis. An open-label study].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The objective of this observational study was to assess under real clinical practice conditions the effectiveness and safety of venlafaxine extended release in anxiety-depressed and hormone-related symptoms in climacteric women with anxiety or depressive disorders.

METHODOLOGY:

Observational, prospective, open-label, multicenter, 24-week study, carried out in Spain. A sample of 45 outpatients, adult women between 45 and 55 years of age, diagnosed of depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder were analyzed. Venlafaxine extended release was administered for 24 weeks at doses according to the investigator's clinical criteria.

RESULTS:

Of the total of 45 patients who were included in the study, 43 (95.6%) completed it. The patients' age range was of 47 to 55 years old, median of 50 and mean of 50.82. The clinical condition evolution was assessed with the evaluation scales scores: Blatt-Kuppermann Menopausal Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Clinical Global Impression. During the 24-week period, a significant decrease in the different scales scores showed a clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results achieved show that treatment with venlafaxine extended release significantly improved the clinical condition of climacteric patients with anxiety or depressive disorder. If these results are confirmed with placebo-controlled clinical trials, they will support the utility of Venlafaxine extended release in this kind of patients.

• Authors: C Iglesias, E Pato, S Ocio, J C Ortigosa, S Santamarina, M J Merino, M J Alonso, L Fernández, J L Alonso, L Rodríguez
• Journal: Actas espanolas de psiquiatria (Actas Esp Psiquiatr) 2009 May-Jun Vol. 37 Issue 3 Pg. 137-42 ISSN: 1139-9287 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Tratamiento con venlafaxina clorhidrato de mujeres climatéricas con diagnóstico de ansiedad o depresión. Estudio abiero.
• PMID: 19533425 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Cyclohexanols
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Topics

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (therapeutic use)
• Anxiety (drug therapy, etiology)
• Cyclohexanols (therapeutic use)
• Depression (drug therapy, etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Menopause
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride