[Response and remission in depressive patients with anxiety symptoms treated with venlafaxine extended release in primary care].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the long term effect of treatment with venlafaxine extended release on response and remission in patients with depressive syndrome and associated anxiety symptoms, in primary health care.


METHODS
Observational, naturalistic and prospective, open-label study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age over 18 years, diagnosis of depressive syndrome with anxiety symptoms and minimum scores of 17 and 10 on Hamilton Depression Rating (HAM-D17) and Anxiety Rating (HAM-A) scales, respectively. Daily doses of 75-150 mg of venlafaxine extended release were administered for 24 weeks. Effectiveness on the depressive-anxious symptoms was assessed using the HAM-D17 and HAM-A scales. Response and remission criteria were considered.


RESULTS
6,719 patients were evaluable for effectiveness and safety - intention to treat population. Venlafaxine extended release treatment was associated with significant decreases in the scores in the HAM-D17 and HAM-A scales, as well as with significant increases in response and remission rates. At week 24, remission rates were: 74.62% (HAM-D17<or=7), 81.55% (HAM-A<or=7) and 72.63% (HAM-D17 <or=7/HAM-A<or=7). 81.8 % of patients completed 24 weeks of treatment. 6.4% of patients reported adverse events, of mild-moderate intensity in 94.9% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, venlafaxine extended release shows that it is an effective and safe drug in the treatment of the depressive-anxious symptoms of patients with depressive syndrome treated in primary care, both in remission and response rates. It would be of interest to compare data of venlafaxine extended release with that of other antidepressive drugs, such as SSRI.
Roca Benassar
M
M
Grupo de estudio Perseo, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca. mroca@clust.uib.es
Baca Baldomero
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride