Healthcare expenditure in severely depressed patients treated with escitalopram, generic SSRIs or venlafaxine in the UK.

Objective: To retrospectively compare the 12-month healthcare utilisation and direct medical costs associated with the use of escitalopram, generic SSRIs, and venlafaxine in patients with severe depression in the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods: Data for this retrospective cohort study were extracted from the GPRD, a large primary care database in the UK. Data from adults with an incident prescription of escitalopram, venlafaxine, or generic SSRI were extracted.

Clinical milestones predict symptom remission over 6-month and choice of treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Background: It is uncertain as to what short-term outcomes predict long-term treatment compliance and outcomes in patients with MDD.

Aims: To determine what treatment milestones predict symptom remission with long-term treatment with antidepressant medication.

Method: Pooled analysis of four randomised, double-blind, active comparator, 6-month trials in MDD.

A comparative study of the efficacy of acute and continuation treatment with escitalopram versus duloxetine in patients with major depressive disorder.

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of escitalopram and duloxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Research Design And Methods: Patients were randomised to 24 weeks of double-blind treatment with fixed doses of escitalopram (20 mg) (n = 143) or duloxetine (60 mg) (n = 151). The primary analysis of efficacy was an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of change from baseline to endpoint (week 24) in MADRS total score (last observation carried forward).

The onset of effect for escitalopram and its relevance for the clinical management of depression.

Objective: To analyse the significance of 'onset of effect' on clinical outcome in the treatment of depression and the contribution of individual Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) items to improvements in the MADRS total score.

Research Design And Method: All five published placebo-controlled clinical studies in depression as per January 1, 2005, with escitalopram, were included in this pooled analysis.

Results: Of the 1636 patients who were randomised to either escitalopram (882) or placebo (754), 1333 completed 8 weeks of treatment (707 escitalopram and 626 placebo).