Escitalopram Significantly Improves Quality Of Life In Major Depressive Disorder And Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Featured Article
Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Anxiety / Stress;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 24 Oct 2007 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

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<0.001) and GAD (p<0.001).

Before treatment, the mean Q-LES-Q score for patients with MDD was 37.4+8.2, which is 64% of the community norm of 58, and 44.1+8.0 for patients with GAD (76% of community norm). After eight weeks' treatment with escitalopram (doses in the studies ranged from 10mg to 20mg daily), 34% of patients with MDD achieved a Q-LES-Q score within 10% of the population norm, compared to 27% of those randomised to placebo. Nearly half (47%) of patients with GAD treated with escitalopram achieved this level of improvement in quality of life, compared to 37% of those in the placebo group.

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<0.001).

Koen Demyttenaere, Professor of Psychiatry, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium, and lead author of the study, warned: "Quality of life is seriously reduced in psychiatric disorders. But as doctors we tend to only focus on symptoms, whereas what matters to patients is their functioning and quality of life." He noted that the concept of quality of life should centre on an individual's perception of the quality of his or her life, and should cover a range of factors, including sense of well-being, social relations and life satisfaction. The Q-LES-Q captures these elements.

"This study showed that escitalopram significantly improves quality of life in patients with major depression or generalised anxiety. This is associated with improved ability to function, go to work, and feeling more positive about things - all of which really matter to our patients," Professor Demyttenaere concluded.

European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress

Written by: Susan Mayor
Mayor at dircon.co.uk
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations