Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of venlafaxine in the treatment of depressive disorder associated with anxiety, and explore its related factors. Methods Sixty patients with depressive disorder associated with anxiety were screened with Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), and were randomly treated with domestic venlafaxine sustained-release tablets (Bolexin group, n=31) or imported venlafaxine capsules (Effexor group, n=29). Patients were followed up for 8 weeks, the clinical outcomes of patients in two groups and those of patients with different levels of anxiety were observed, and the related factors for time of initial relief of depression and anxiety symptoms were analysed. Results Three weeks after treatment, the scores of depression and anxiety symptoms in both Bolexin group and Effexor group were significantly improved (P<0.05), and the response rates of two groups were 77.4% and 65.5% respectively 8 weeks after treatment. There were significant differences in baseline HAMD-17 score among patients with different levels of anxiety (P<0.05), while there had been no significant difference in HAMD-17 score ever since 3 weeks after treatment （P>0.05）, and there was also no significant difference in response rate at each time point among them （P>0.05）. Time of initial relief of depression symptoms was significantly negatively related to the existence of induced factors for first episode and HAMD-17 baseline score (P<0.05), and was significantly positively related to HAMA baseline score (P<0.05). Time of first relief of anxiety symptoms was significantly positively related to age (P<0.05), and was significantly negatively related to the existence of induced factors for first episode (P<0.01). Conclusion Venlafaxine has favorable therapeutic effects on depressive disorder associated with anxiety.

Key words: venlafaxine, depression, anxiety, Hamilton depression scale-17, Hamilton anxiety scale