Efficacy of vortioxetine in working patients with generalized anxiety disorder. (30th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christensen, Michael Cronquist; Loft, Henrik; Florea, Ioana; McIntyre, Roger S.
• Is Part Of: CNS spectrums. Volume 24:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2017-10-30
• Subjects: Vortioxetine, -- working population, -- generalized anxiety disorder, -- functioning, -- quality of life, -- pharmacological treatment; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1017/S1092852917000761
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1092-8529

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Vortioxetine is an approved antidepressant that has also demonstrated positive effects on anxiety symptoms in subjects with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This post-hoc analysis evaluates the efficacy of vortioxetine in GAD subjects who are working and/or pursuing an education. Methods: In study NCT00744627, 301 GAD subjects were randomized to vortioxetine 5 mg or placebo for 8 weeks. Efficacy measures included the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM–A) total score, response/remission, global functioning (Sheehan Disability Scale [SDS]), and quality of life (Short Form–36 Health Survey). In study NCT00788034, 687 GAD subjects were treated open-label with vortioxetine 5 or 10 mg for 20 weeks, after which subjects in remission were randomized to fixed-dose of vortioxetine (5 or 10 mg) or placebo for at least 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was time to relapse. Analyses were completed in subjects working and/or pursuing an education at study entry and the full analysis set. Results: In study NCT00744627, the effect of vortioxetine versus placebo on HAM–A total score was –4.3 ( p =0.0005) in working subjects (60% of total), while the effect in the total population was –3.8 ( p =0.0001). The effect was greatest in subjects in professional (–4.5, p =0.0130) and associate professional positions (–7.6, p =0.0086). Greater effects in terms of response, remission, and the SDS and SF–36 were also observed. In NCT00788034, working subjects (69% of total) randomized to placebo were significantly more likely to relapse than subjects treated with vortioxetine (hazard ratio=2.9; p <0.001), while the hazard ratio in the total population was 2.7 ( p <0.0001). Conclusions: The beneficial effects of vortioxetine on anxiety symptoms, functioning, and quality of life are greater in adults with GAD who are working and/or pursuing an education versus the full GAD study population.