Psychosocial outcomes in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder during 2 years of maintenance treatment with venlafaxine extended release

Madhukar H. Trivedi, University of Texas
David L. Dunner, Center for Anxiety and Depression
Susan G. Kornstein, Virginia Commonwealth University
Michael E. Thase, University of Pennsylvania
John M. Zajecka, Rush University
Anthony J. Rothschild, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Edward S. Friedman, University of Pittsburgh
Richard C. Shelton, Vanderbilt University
Martin B. Keller, Brown University
James H. Kocsis, Weill Cornell Medical College
Alan J. Gelenberg, University of Arizona

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial outcomes from the Prevention of Recurrent Episodes of Depression with Venlafaxine ER for Two Years (PREVENT) study were evaluated.

METHODS: Adult outpatients with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) and response or remission following 6-month continuation treatment with venlafaxine extended release (ER) were randomized to receive venlafaxine ER or placebo for 1 year. Patients without recurrence on venlafaxine ER during year 1 were randomized to venlafaxine ER or placebo for year 2. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q), Life Enjoyment Scale-Short Version (LES-S), Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report (SAS-SR) total and individual factors, Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (vitality, social functioning, and role function-emotional items), and Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE).

RESULTS: At year 1 end, better overall psychosocial functioning was seen among patients randomly assigned to venlafaxine ER (n=129) vs placebo (n=129), with significant differences at end point on SF-36 role function-emotional, Q-LES-Q, and SAS-SR total, and work, house work, social/leisure, and extended-family factor scores (p

LIMITATIONS: Patients with chronic MDD or treatment resistance were excluded and long-term specialist care was a financial incentive for treatment compliance. Discontinuation-related adverse events may have compromised the integrity of the treatment blind.

CONCLUSIONS: For patients with recurrent MDD, 2 years' maintenance therapy with venlafaxine ER may improve psychosocial functioning vs placebo.