Escitalopram in clinical practice: results of an open-label trial in outpatients with depression in a naturalistic setting in Germany.
BACKGROUND
An open, multi-center, study was designed to address the efficacy and tolerability profile of treatment with escitalopram under naturalistic conditions in outpatients with depression.


METHODS
A total of 11,760 patients were treated with escitalopram and followed for 8 weeks. Rating scales included the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I), and a short version of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (svMADRS) for assessment of various clinical parameters.


RESULTS
During the course of the study, patients showed a clear pattern of improvement in their general state of health (CGI-S) and a decrease in the severity of their depression. The majority (82.8%) of patients initially received 10 mg/day escitalopram. By the end of the trial period, 32.5% of the patients were treated with 20 mg/day escitalopram compared to 64.0% receiving 10 mg/day escitalopram. After 2 weeks, 40.7% of patients were much or very much improved (CGI-I < or =2), increasing to 82.5% at the last assessment. There were no significant differences in response to treatment between women and men, with regard to treatment by specialists versus GPs, or with regard to age (< or =65 versus >65 years of age). Adverse reactions were similar to those found in controlled trials, and no new reactions were noted. The most common adverse reactions were nausea, anxiety, and vertigo.


CONCLUSIONS
This observational study corroborates the high therapeutic efficacy of escitalopram treatment, while confirming the tolerability profile, in a naturalistic treatment setting.
Möller
H-J
HJ
Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-80336 München, Germany. Hans-Juergen.Moeller@med.uni-muenchen.de
Langer
S
S
Schmauss
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram