Depression-free days as a summary measure of the temporal pattern of response and remission in the treatment of major depression: a comparison of venlafaxine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and placebo.

Background: This article develops and applies depression-free days (DFDs) as a summary measure of the temporal pattern of response and remission in a comparison of venlafaxine (a dual-action serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and placebo.

Method: Weekly data on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17) from 2046 patients with DSM-III-R/IV-established moderate-to-severe major depression, participating in 1 of 8 randomized, double-blind, controlled studies that compared venlafaxine with an SSRI (fluoxetine, paroxetine, or fluvoxamine) or with both placebo and an SSRI, were used to estimate DFDs. Maximum DFDs were imputed to maintained HAM-D-17 scores < or = 7 (asymptomatic depression) over time, minimum DFDs to persistent HAM-D-17 scores > or = 15 (acutely symptomatic depression), and prorated DFDs to intermediate HAM-D-17 scores.

Response and remission rates in different subpopulations with major depressive disorder administered venlafaxine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or placebo.

Background: Most examinations of the clinical efficacy of drugs used to treat depression pool subjects across gender and age groups. This investigation compared these patient subpopulations on the basis of remission and response rates associated with venlafaxine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment.

Method: A meta-analysis of original data from 8 comparable double-blind, active-controlled, randomized clinical trials (4 also placebo-controlled) was conducted.

Remission rates during treatment with venlafaxine or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Background: It had been suggested that the antidepressant venlafaxine, which inhibits reuptake of both serotonin and (at higher doses) noradrenaline, may result in better outcomes than treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Aims: To compare remission rates during treatment with SSRIs or venlafaxine.

Method: Data from eight comparable randomised, double-blind studies of major depressive disorder were pooled to compare remission rates (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score < or = 7) during treatment with venlafaxine (n = 851), SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine; n = 748) or placebo (four studies; n = 446).

Efficacy of once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) for symptoms of anxiety in depressed outpatients.

The effects of once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) 75-225 mg/day on symptoms of anxiety in depressed outpatients were assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In study 1, venlafaxine XR was significantly (p < or = 0.05) more effective than placebo by week 4 in relieving anxiety symptoms among patients with moderate or greater anxiety (anxiety-psychic item score > or = 2) at baseline.

Efficacy of venlafaxine and placebo during long-term treatment of depression: a pooled analysis of relapse rates.

The objective of this analysis was to determine the efficacy of venlafaxine in comparison with that of placebo during long-term treatment. A pooled analysis of relapse rates in outpatients with major depression continuing long-term treatment (up to 12 months) after responding to short-term treatment (6 weeks) was performed combining the data from four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Relapses were defined as two consecutive Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity scores greater than 3 (mildly ill), as a CGI severity score greater than 3 at withdrawal regardless of the reason for withdrawal, or as withdrawal due to lack of efficacy.