Venlafaxine extended-release in patients older than 80 years with depressive syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this evaluation was to assess the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine extended-release (ER) in very old primary care out-patients with depressive syndrome and associated anxiety symptoms.

Methods: This was an observational, naturalistic, multicenter, prospective, open-label study in an outpatient population with a diagnosis of depressive syndrome with anxiety symptoms. Minimum scores of 17 and 10 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D(17)) and Anxiety (HAM-A), respectively, were required. Daily doses of 75 mg to 225 mg of venlafaxine extended release (ER) were administered for 24 weeks. Effectiveness for depressive-anxious symptomatology was assessed using the HAM-D(17) and HAM-A scales.

Patients: The 97 patients discussed in this report are a subgroup comprising all elderly patients, aged >or= 80 years, who were part of the larger observational, naturalistic, multicenter, prospective, open-label study and who had received venlafaxine ER for a maximum duration of 24 weeks.

Results: At endpoint, remission rates were 57.1% (HAM-D(17) <or=7), 66.2% (HAM-A <or= 7), and 52% (HAM-D(17) <or=7 and HAM-A <or= 7). Twenty patients (20.6%) dropped out or were withdrawn. Adverse events were reported by seven (7.2%) patients, none were reported as serious.

Conclusions: Venlafaxine ER was shown to be an effective and safe drug for the treatment of very elderly primary care patients with depressive syndrome and associated anxiety symptoms.