The effects of venlafaxine on social activity level in depressed outpatients.
BACKGROUND
Although most depression treatment outcome scales focus on symptoms, depression also affects daily functioning, social activity, and quality of life. We examined the effects of venlafaxine on social activity, general life functioning, and depressive symptoms in 2 placebo-controlled clinical trials of venlafaxine.


METHODS
Subjects were 600 outpatients with major depression (DSM-III-R criteria). Treatment outcomes were examined separately in each study, primarily because of differing lengths of follow-up.


RESULTS
Treatment with venlafaxine significantly improved activity level, general life functioning, and depressive symptoms. Treatment accounted for statistically significant changes in both activity level and general life functioning even after controlling for changes in depression.


CONCLUSIONS
We provide evidence that social activity is a behavioral domain distinct from depressive symptoms and that venlafaxine improves social activity level and general life functioning in addition to its positive effects on depressive symptoms in outpatients with major depression.
Lenderking
W R
WR
Phase V Technologies, Inc., Wellesley Hills, Mass. 02181, USA.
Tennen
H
H
Nackley
J F
JF
Hale
M S
MS
Turner
R R
RR
Testa
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D010919:Placebos; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride