Treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram significantly improves quality of life in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), according to a meta-analysis reported this week at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress (13-17 October, Vienna, Austria).
The study analysed quality of life data, using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), from eight randomised, double-blind trials including a total of 1140 patients with MDD and 1045 with GAD. Results showed significant improvement in quality of life after eight weeks of treatment with escitalopram in patients with MDD (p
Detailed analysis showed that improvement in symptoms was associated with quality of life in both MDD and GAD. Patients who showed remission of symptoms reached ‘normal’ quality of life scores. Those whose symptoms responded to treatment, but who did not show complete remission, achieved better quality of life than non-responders (p
European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress
Written by: Susan Mayor
Mayor at dircon.co.uk