EFFICACY OF VENLAFAXINE TREATMENT IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOMOTOR RETARDATION OR AGITATION - A METAANALYSIS

A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effectiveness of the novel antidepressant venlafaxine in depressed patients with psychomotor retardation and/or agitation [respective baseline item score greater than zero on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D)]. Data from five comparable placebo-controlled double-blind studies (n = 1122) were analysed; in two of them venlafaxine was also compared with imipramine. Separate analyses were performed on data from psychomotor retarded and agitated patients by using a one-way analysis of covariance (HAM-D total score during therapy, dependent variable; baseline HAM-D total score, covariate; therapy, factor). The overall pool of venlafaxine-treated patients showed a significantly greater decline in total HAM-D score than did the placebo-treated patients. Venlafaxine-treated patients with retardation showed a significantly greater decline in total HAM-D scores than did placebo- and imipramine-treated patients, starting at weeks 3 and 4, respectively. Venlafaxine-treated patients with agitation showed a significantly greater decline in total HAM-D scores than did placebo- and imipramine-treated patients, starting at weeks 2 and 1, respectively. In conclusion, venlafaxine is effective in depressed patients whether or not they have symptoms of psychomotor retardation or agitation.