Improvements in quality of life with desvenlafaxine 50mg/d vs placebo in employed adults with major depressive disorder.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Diminished quality of life (QOL) is associated with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS:

QOL was assessed in a post-hoc analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Employed adult outpatients with MDD were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of treatment with desvenlafaxine 50mg/d or placebo. Changes from baseline in the Short Form of the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) item scores at week 12 were analyzed using analysis of covariance with treatment, region, and baseline in the model. Correlations between change from baseline in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) total score and Q-LES-Q scores were computed.

RESULTS:

The intent-to-treat population included 427 patients. There were statistically significant improvements from baseline for desvenlafaxine vs placebo in 10 of 16 Q-LES-Q item scores (P values ≤0.0441). The percentage of patients with severe QOL impairment (≥2 SD below community norm) at week 12 was significantly lower for desvenlafaxine (46%) vs placebo (62%; P=0.0024; baseline: 95% and 94%, respectively). Change in Q-LES-Q total score was highly correlated with change in HAM-D17 score at week 12, LOCF (P<0.0001), and improvement in HAM-D17 total score at week 2 predicted change in Q-LES-Q total score at week 12 for the desvenlafaxine group (F=24.89; P<0.0001) but not placebo.

LIMITATIONS:

This analysis excluded patients who were unemployed, had severe comorbidities, and those taking multiple, concomitant medications.

CONCLUSION:

Improvement in QOL and depressive symptoms was significantly greater for employed depressed patients treated with desvenlafaxine vs placebo.

• Authors: Jean Endicott, Raymond W Lam, Ming-Ann Hsu, Rana Fayyad, Matthieu Boucher, Christine J Guico-Pabia
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 166 Pg. 307-14 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25012446 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Cyclohexanols
• Placebos
• Desvenlafaxine Succinate

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cyclohexanols (therapeutic use)
• Depression
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy)
• Desvenlafaxine Succinate
• Double-Blind Method
• Employment
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Placebos
• Quality of Life
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult