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d'Andrea G, Miuli A, Pettorruso M, Cavallotto C, Marrangone C, Cocco A, De Filippis S, Martiadis V, Andriola I, Barlati S, Vita A, Dell'Osso BM, Sensi SL, Di Lorenzo G, Martinotti G. Exploring vortioxetine combination with intranasal esketamine: A feasible alternative to SSRI/SNRI? - Insights from the REAL-ESK study. J Affect Disord 2024; 367:583-588. [PMID: 39233241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects almost 30 % of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Esketamine Nasal Spray (ESK-NS) has recently been approved for TRD in combination with a Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitor/SSRI or a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor/SNRI. There is a lack of studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of ESK-NS in combination with other oral antidepressants. AIM To assess the efficacy of Vortioxetine plus ESK-NS in mitigating depressive symptoms and emotional blunting, as well as its tolerability in TRD subjects, compared to the standard-of-care of SSRI/SNRI plus ESK-NS. METHODS We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the REAL-ESK study. The study included twenty TRD patients, ten subjects taking Vortioxetine as the main oral antidepressant with ESK-NS, and ten subjects taking SSRI or SNRI with ESK-NS. Psychometric assessments (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale/MADRS, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale/BPRS) were conducted at baseline(T0), one month(T1), and three months after the treatment initiation(T2). RESULTS The combination of Vortioxetine and ESK-NS was as effective as the standard-of-care in reducing depressive symptoms, with a higher effect size in reducing emotional blunting at T2. The safety and tolerability profile of the Vortioxetine+ESK-NS combination appeared to be better, with a lower rate of treatment-emergent adverse events. CONCLUSION The combination of Vortioxetine and ESK-NS may be a valuable alternative to the standard-of-care SSRI/SNRI plus ESK-NS in TRD patients, particularly regarding the reduction of emotional blunting and potentially a better safety and tolerability profile. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and prospective designs are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo d'Andrea
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.; Department of Mental Health, ASL 02 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Miuli
- Department of Mental Health, ASL 02 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy..
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.; Department of Mental Health, ASL 02 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Clara Cavallotto
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carlotta Marrangone
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessio Cocco
- Department of Mental Health, ASL 02 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Sergio De Filippis
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Villa Von Siebenthal Neuropsychiatric Clinic, Genzano di Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Barlati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Bernardo Maria Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.; Department of Mental Health, ASL 02 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy
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Christensen MC, Canellas F, Loft H, Montejo ÁL. Effectiveness of Vortioxetine for the Treatment of Emotional Blunting in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Experiencing Inadequate Response to SSRI/SNRI Monotherapy in Spain: Results from the COMPLETE Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2024; 20:1475-1489. [PMID: 39100571 PMCID: PMC11297586 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s473056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The multinational, open-label COMPLETE study (NCT03835715) investigated the effectiveness of vortioxetine in alleviating emotional blunting in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experiencing inadequate response and emotional blunting while being treated with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This paper presents results for the subgroup of patients enrolled in Spain. Methods Patients with MDD (n = 67) experiencing partial response and emotional blunting during monotherapy with an SSRI or SNRI were switched to vortioxetine (10-20 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The primary study outcome was emotional blunting, assessed by the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ). Results After 8 weeks of vortioxetine, the mean (SE) change in ODQ total score from baseline was -26.0 (2.9) (P < 0.001). Respective changes in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Motivation and Energy Inventory, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) total scores were -14.9 (0.8), +34.2 (4.5), +6.3 (1.6), and ‒9.0 (1.3) (all P < 0.001 vs baseline). At week 8, 70.4% of patients no longer reported emotional blunting and 53.7% had achieved remission from their depressive symptoms (defined as a MADRS total score ≤10). Mediation analysis showed 77.1% of the change in SDS total score to be a direct effect of the improvement in ODQ total score after switching to vortioxetine. Adverse events were reported by 35 patients (52.2%), most commonly nausea (14 patients, 20.9%). At week 8, 33/54 patients (61.1%) were receiving vortioxetine 20 mg/day. Conclusion In this study investigating the effectiveness of vortioxetine in Spanish patients with MDD who experienced inadequate response and emotional blunting on SSRI/SNRI monotherapy, significant improvements in emotional blunting, core depressive symptoms (including anhedonia), sleep duration, motivation and energy, cognitive performance, and overall patient functioning were observed during the 8 weeks of treatment. Two-thirds of patients no longer reported emotional blunting and over half were in remission from their depressive symptoms at week 8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Canellas
- Psychiatric Department, Son Espases University Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - Ángel L Montejo
- Institute of Biomedicine of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Psychiatric Service, University of Salamanca Health Care Complex, Salamanca, Spain
- University of Salamanca, Faculty of Nursing, Salamanca, Spain
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Kikuchi T, Iga J, Oosawa M, Hoshino T, Moriguchi Y, Izutsu M. A web-based survey on the occurrence of emotional blunting in patients with major depressive disorder in Japan: Patient perceptions and attitudes. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2024; 44:321-332. [PMID: 38616339 PMCID: PMC11144621 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS To determine the prevalence and impact of emotional blunting (EB) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in Japan, and identify treatment needs for EB using patients' perceptions and attitudes. METHODS Eligible patients in Japan (aged 18-59 years) who reported a diagnosis of MDD and antidepressant medication use for >3 months were eligible to complete an online survey. The primary outcome was the prevalence of EB, self-reported using a validated screening question. Secondary outcomes included the correlation between EB symptoms (measured by the Oxford Depression Questionnaire [ODQ]) and scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Descriptive questions were used to explore patients' perceptions and attitudes toward EB. RESULTS In total, 3376 patients were included in the analysis (56% male; 48% aged 50-59 years). Overall, 67.1% of patients self-reported symptoms of EB, with 10% rating these as severe. The mean (SD) ODQ total score was 78.2 (21.5), which increased with worsening EB symptoms. There were correlations between ODQ total scores and the PHQ-9, GAD-7, WSAS, and EQ-5D-5L scores (correlation coefficients: 0.67, 0.55, 0.56, -0.51, respectively; all p < 0.0001). Descriptive analyses showed that one-third of patients reporting EB symptoms did not tell their physician, with two-thirds finding these symptoms distressing and likely to affect recovery. CONCLUSION EB is an important clinical issue in Japan that needs to be considered alongside functional recovery when managing treatment of patients with MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Kikuchi
- Department of NeuropsychiatryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Jun‐ichi Iga
- Department of NeuropsychiatryEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToonEhimeJapan
| | - Masato Oosawa
- Japan Medical OfficeTakeda Pharmaceutical Company LimitedTokyoJapan
| | - Tatsuya Hoshino
- Japan Medical OfficeTakeda Pharmaceutical Company LimitedTokyoJapan
| | | | - Miwa Izutsu
- Japan Medical OfficeTakeda Pharmaceutical Company LimitedTokyoJapan
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Kato M, Kikuchi T, Watanabe K, Sumiyoshi T, Moriguchi Y, Åström DO, Christensen MC. Assessing Reliability and Validity of the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ) in a Japanese Clinical Population. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:2401-2412. [PMID: 38029050 PMCID: PMC10640815 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s428443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Originally developed in English, the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ) is a patient-reported scale specifically developed for assessing emotional blunting in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the ODQ. Patients and methods This was a prespecified analysis of a prospective, 24-week, multicenter, observational cohort study of employed Japanese outpatients with MDD initiating treatment with vortioxetine according to the Japanese label (JRCT1031210200). Participants were assessed using the Japanese version of the ODQ and other clinical rating scales at baseline and Weeks 8, 12 and 24. Results One hundred and sixteen patients initiated vortioxetine and had ≥1 post-baseline visit. Directionally, the associations between ODQ scores and other clinical measures were as expected and demonstrated good concurrent validity. Factor analysis shows that the scale has a good fit for three factors. The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.912, and the scale also showed good test-retest reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients for the ODQ total score and domains ranging between 0.69 and 0.82. ODQ scores had strong positive correlations with symptom severity assessed using the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and were moderately correlated with work productivity, overall functioning, and quality of life scales. Conclusion Data from this prospective analysis confirm that the Japanese version of the ODQ retains the good validity and reliability of the original English scale and is suitable for use in prospective studies wanting to capture treatment effects on emotional blunting in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Kato
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Kikuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Watanabe
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomiki Sumiyoshi
- Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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Christensen MC, Ren H, Fagiolini A. Emotional blunting in patients with depression. Part IV: differences between patient and physician perceptions. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2022; 21:22. [PMID: 35733157 PMCID: PMC9215037 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00391-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotional blunting is common in patients with depression. An online survey was undertaken to assess the experience of emotional blunting, and its impact on functioning and quality of life, in the acute and remission phases of depression from the perspective of patients and healthcare providers (HCPs). This paper presents data on the level of concordance between patient and HCP perspectives. METHODS This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Patient respondents were adults with a diagnosis of depression, who were currently using a prescribed antidepressant, and who reported emotional blunting during the past 6 weeks. HCPs completed the survey for the last two eligible patients they had seen, one in each phase of depression. Assessments included the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ) 'antidepressant as cause' domain and the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST). RESULTS Mean ODQ 'antidepressant as cause' domain scores were significantly higher in the patient-reported cohort (n = 752) than in the HCP-assessed cohort (n = 766) in both the acute (18.0 vs 12.5, respectively; p < 0.01) and remission phases (17.6 vs 12.6; p < 0.01). Overall, 45% of patients believed that their antidepressant medication was negatively affecting their emotions and 39% were considering stopping or had stopped their antidepressant because of perceived emotion-related side effects. In the HCP-assessed cohort, the antidepressant was considered responsible for emotional blunting in 30% of patients and only 18% of patients were believed to be considering stopping their medication due to emotional blunting. Patients reported a greater impact of emotional blunting on activities of daily living than HCPs. Mean FAST score was significantly higher in each phase of depression in the patient-reported cohort than in the HCP-assessed cohort (acute phase, 47.0 vs 39.1; remission phase, 33.5 vs 19.4; both p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Compared with previous studies, our results suggest that HCPs may underestimate the prevalence of emotional blunting in patients with depression. HCPs also appear to underestimate the severity and impact of emotional blunting on patient functioning and treatment adherence compared with patients' own perspectives. Differences between patient and HCP perspectives were most pronounced during the acute phase of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongye Ren
- H. Lundbeck A/S, Medical Affairs, Ottiliavej 9, 2500, Valby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
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Christensen MC, Ren H, Fagiolini A. Emotional blunting in patients with depression. Part III: relationship with psychological trauma. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2022; 21:21. [PMID: 35729621 PMCID: PMC9210060 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00395-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This international online survey investigated the experience and impact of emotional blunting in the acute and remission phases of depression from the perspective of patients and healthcare providers (HCPs). This paper presents data on the history and severity of psychological trauma and its potential impact on emotional blunting in major depressive disorder (MDD); differences between patient and HCP perceptions are explored. METHODS Patient respondents (n = 752) were adults with a diagnosis of depression who were currently taking antidepressant therapy and reported emotional blunting during the past 6 weeks. HCPs provided details on two eligible patients: one in the acute phase of depression and one in remission from depression (n = 766). Trauma was assessed using questions based on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; emotional blunting was assessed using the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ). Multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine the relationship between trauma and ODQ score. RESULTS A history of any childhood or recent traumatic event was reported by 97% of patients in the self-assessed cohort and for 83% of those in the HCP-assessed cohort (difference, p < 0.01). Patients were more likely than HCPs to feel that this trauma had contributed to their/the patient's depression (58% vs 43%, respectively; p < 0.01) and that the depression was more severe because of trauma (70% vs 61%, respectively; p < 0.01). Emotional blunting was significantly worse in patients who reported severe trauma than in those who had not experienced severe trauma (mean total ODQ score, 90.1 vs 83.9, respectively; p < 0.01). In multivariate regression analyses, experiencing both severe childhood and recent trauma had a statistically significant impact on ODQ total score (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A high proportion of patients with depression and emotional blunting self-reported exposure to childhood and/or recent traumatic events, and emotional blunting was more severe in patients who reported having experienced severe trauma. However, history of psychological trauma in patients with MDD appeared to be under-recognized by HCPs. Improved recognition of patients who have experienced psychological trauma and are experiencing emotional blunting may permit more targeted therapeutic interventions, potentially resulting in improved treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongye Ren
- Medical Affairs, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500, Valby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
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