title: Comparison of the effectiveness of venlafaxine in peri- and postmenopausal patients with major depressive disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines the difference in the efficacy and tolerability of an antidepressant inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin--IRNS--on climacteric patients diagnosed of major depressive disorder, comparing the therapeutic response between perimenopausal and postmenopausal patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, prospective, open-label, multicenter study 24 weeks study. The sample consisted of women between 45 and 55 years diagnosed of major depressive disorder. The study drug was venlafaxine extended release at doses according to the investigator's clinical criteria. The efficacy was assessed using repeated measures of the scales: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  36 depressed women were included in the study and 35 completed it. The patient's age range was 47 to 55 years old. Throughout the study, a significant clinical improvement in depressive and hormonal symptoms was seen. The comparison of the pattern of improvement, according to the menstrual status of the patients, showed no significant different between pre and postmenopausal patients. Perimenopausal women reported a higher rate of adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Venlafaxine was effective in treating depressive and hormonal symptoms regardless of the menstrual status of climacteric patients with a slightly worse tolerance in perimenopause.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, Hospital Valle del Nalón, Langreo, Asturias, Spain. icelso@yahoo.es
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iglesias García
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ocio León
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ortigosa Digón
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Merino García
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alonso Villa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernández Palicio
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alonso Rionda
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García Fernández
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Colubi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toimil Iglesias
mesh_terms: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride