HAM-D17 and HAM-D6 sensitivity to change in relation to desvenlafaxine dose and baseline depression severity in major depressive disorder

• Published in: Pharmacopsychiatry Vol. 43; no. 7; p. 271
• Main Authors: Bech, P, Boyer, P, Germain, J-M, Padmanabhan, K, Haudiquet, V, Pitrosky, B, Tourian, K A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.11.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antidepressive Agents - administration & dosage; Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Cyclohexanols - administration & dosage; Cyclohexanols - adverse effects; Cyclohexanols - therapeutic use; Depressive Disorder, Major - drug therapy; Desvenlafaxine Succinate; Disease Progression; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1439-0795
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1263173

This retrospective analysis compared sensitivity to change on the 17-item and 6-item Hamilton Rating Scales For Depression (HAM-D (17) and HAM-D (6), respectively) in relation to antidepressant dose and baseline depression severity. Data were derived from 6 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trials of fixed-dose desvenlafaxine (50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/d) for major depressive disorder. HAM-D (17) and HAM-D (6) effect sizes were assessed. HAM-D (17) effect sizes were negative (favoured placebo) for higher desvenlafaxine doses (200-400 mg/d) at week 1, but were positive for all doses after week 2, with no clear dose-response pattern. However, HAM-D (6) effect sizes were positive for all doses at all weeks. Effect sizes were consistently greater for HAM-D (6) vs. HAM-D (17), regardless of time spent under therapy. Effect sizes were greater for HAM-D (6) vs. HAM-D (17) for all desvenlafaxine doses among patients with baseline HAM-D (17) <25, but not among patients with baseline HAM-D (17) ≥ 25. The HAM-D (6) demonstrated greater sensitivity to change and robustness than the HAM-D (17), supporting the greater homogeneity of the HAM-D (6).