HAM-D17 and HAM-D6 sensitivity to change in relation to desvenlafaxine dose and baseline depression severity in major depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
This retrospective analysis compared sensitivity to change on the 17-item and 6-item Hamilton Rating Scales For Depression (HAM-D (17) and HAM-D (6), respectively) in relation to antidepressant dose and baseline depression severity.


METHODS
Data were derived from 6 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trials of fixed-dose desvenlafaxine (50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/d) for major depressive disorder. HAM-D (17) and HAM-D (6) effect sizes were assessed.


RESULTS
HAM-D (17) effect sizes were negative (favoured placebo) for higher desvenlafaxine doses (200-400 mg/d) at week 1, but were positive for all doses after week 2, with no clear dose-response pattern. However, HAM-D (6) effect sizes were positive for all doses at all weeks. Effect sizes were consistently greater for HAM-D (6) vs. HAM-D (17), regardless of time spent under therapy. Effect sizes were greater for HAM-D (6) vs. HAM-D (17) for all desvenlafaxine doses among patients with baseline HAM-D (17) <25, but not among patients with baseline HAM-D (17) ≥ 25.


CONCLUSIONS
The HAM-D (6) demonstrated greater sensitivity to change and robustness than the HAM-D (17), supporting the greater homogeneity of the HAM-D (6).
Bech
P
P
Psychiatric Research Unit, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark. per.bech@regionh.dk
Boyer
P
P
Germain
J-M
JM
Padmanabhan
K
K
Haudiquet
V
V
Pitrosky
B
B
Tourian
K A
KA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069468:Desvenlafaxine Succinate; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069468:Desvenlafaxine Succinate