Efficacy and Safety of Jianpi Jieyu Decoction for Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Depression of Xin (Heart)-Pi (Spleen) Deficiency Syndrome: A Multi-centre Randomized Controlled Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Jianpi Jieyu Decoction (JJD) for treating patients with mild-to-moderate depression of Xin (Heart)-Pi (Spleen) deficiency (XPD) syndrome.@*METHODS@#In this multi-center, randomized, controlled study, 140 patients with mild-to-moderate depression of XPD syndrome were included from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Botou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2017 to December 2019. They were randomly divided into JJD group and paroxetine group by using a random number table, with 70 cases in each group. The patients in the JJD group were given JJD one dose per day (twice daily at morning and evening, 100 mL each time), and the patients in the paroxetine group were given paroxetine (10 mg/d in week 1; 20 mg/d in weeks 2-6), both orally administration for a total of 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) score at week 6 from baseline. The secondary outcomes included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (TCMSS), and Clinlcal Global Impression (CGI) scores at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weekends of treatment, HAMD-17 response (defined as a reduction in score of >50%) and HAMD-17 remission (defined as a score of ⩽7) at the end of the 6th week of treatment. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded.@*RESULTS@#From baseline to week 6, the HAMD-17 scores decreased 10.2 ± 4.0 and 9.1 ± 4.9 points in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.689). The HAMD-17 response occurred in 60% of patients in the JJD group and in 50% of those in the paroxetine group (P=0.292); HAMD-17 remission occurred in 45.7% and 30% of patients, respectively (P=0.128). The differences of CGI scores at the 6th week were not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were significant differences in HAMD-17 scores between the two groups at 2nd and 4th week (P=0.001 and P=0.014). The HAMA scores declined 8.1 ± 3.0 and 6.9 ± 4.3 points from baseline to week 6 in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.905 between groups). At 4th week of treatment, there was a significant difference in HAMA between the two groups (P=0.037). TCMSS decreased 11.4 ± 5.1, and 10.1 ± 6.8 points in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.080 between groups). At the 6th week, the incidence of AEs in the JJD group was significantly lower than that in the paroxetine group (7.14% vs. 22.86%, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with paroxetine, JJD was associated with a significantly lower incidence of AEs in patients with mild-to-moderate depression of XPD syndrome, with no difference in efficacy at 6 weeks. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000040922).

Antimicrobial activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in bacteria and fungi: a systematic review / Atividade antimicrobiana de inibidores seletivos de recaptação de serotonina em bactérias e fungos: uma revisão sistemática

Objective: this systematic review aims to compile literature data on the antimicrobial action of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). Methods: To this end, the articles in this review were searched in the PubMed database between the years 2010 to 2020, using terms found in MESH as descriptors. The PRISMA flow diagram was used to analyze the process flow of the research. Later, inclusion and exclusion criteria and eligibility for data extraction and statistical analysis were applied. Results: Thus, of 252 articles found, 13 were used for this systematic review. The period in which there were more publications was in 2016-2017. All articles demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of ISRS, such as sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine, in addition to their synergistic activity with some antifungals and antibacterial. Conclusion: With this, it could be concluded that the repositioning of non-antibiotic drugs that have antimicrobial activity is a promising alternative for the scientific community and, in the future, in clinical practice

Objetivo: compilar dados da literatura sobre a ação antimicrobiana dos Inibidores Seletivos de Recaptação de Serotonina (ISRS). Métodos: os artigos desta revisão foram pesquisados na base de dados PubMed, entre os anos de 2010 a 2020, utilizando, como descritores, termos encontrados no MESH. O fluxograma PRISMA foi utilizado para analisar o fluxo do processo da pesquisa. Posteriormente, foram aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão e de elegibilidade para extração de dados e análise estatística. Resultados: dos 252 artigos encontrados, 13 foram utilizados para esta revisão sistemática. O período em que houve mais publicações foi em 2016-2017. Todos os artigos demonstraram a atividade antimicrobiana do ISRS, como sertralina, fluoxetina e paroxetina, além de sua atividade sinérgica com alguns antifúngicos e antibacterianos. Conclusão: o reposicionamento de medicamentos não antibióticos que possuam atividade antimicrobiana é uma alternativa promissora para a comunidade científica e, futuramente, na prática clínica.

Anti-proliferative effects of paroxetine alone or in combination with sorafenib in HepG2 cells

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related death. Sorafenib is the first approved drug for the treatment of advanced HCC. Depression is frequent in cancer patients. Moreover, sorafenib might exert depression as an adverse drug reaction and paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is a recommended pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the potential synergistic effects of paroxetine and sorafenib on HepG2 cell proliferation and death. Paroxetine and sorafenib were administered to HepG2 cells as single-agents or in combination. Cell viability was determined with XTT cell viability assay. Cellular apoptosis and DNA content were assessed by flow cytometry. The expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was examined by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. A lower dose of sorafenib was found to be required to inhibit cell proliferation when in combination with paroxetine. Similarly, the coadministration enhanced cellular apoptosis and resulted in cell cycle arrest. Confocal imaging revealed a remarkably lower cell density and increased expression of Bcl-2 following combined treatment of paroxetine with sorafenib. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the synergistic effect of paroxetine and sorafenib in HCC and might provide a potentially promising therapeutic strategy.

Uma abordagem atual da utilização de antidepressivos no manejo da depressão pós-parto / A current approach to the use of antidepressants in the management of postpartum depression / Enfoque actual de la utilización de antidepresivos en el manejo de la depresión postparto

OBJETIVO: caracterizar a utilização de antidepressivos no manejo da depressão pós-parto. MÉTODO: empregou-se uma revisão integrativa de literatura, das bases de dados PubMed e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, com aplicação de descritores, visando responder a pergunta norteadora do trabalho, entre os dias 25 de fevereiro e 10 de março de 2019. Com base nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 23 artigos que, posteriormente, foram submetidos à categorização. RESULTADOS: a sertralina deve ser a droga de escolha para o tratamento farmacológico da depressão puerperal. Constatou-se também, que a utilização profilática de antidepressivos em mulheres susceptíveis é contestável e pouco se sabe sobre os possíveis efeitos colaterais. Ademais, foi encontrado que não há consenso sobre a superioridade da terapia farmacológica em detrimento às psicoterapias. CONCLUSÃO: há evidencias que fundamentam o uso de sertralina, paroxetina, duloxetina, nortriptilina e imipramina para tratar mulheres com depressão pós-parto, sendo a amamentação sempre recomendada. Ressalta-se que emerge a necessidade de estudos com amostras representativas para validar ou restringir o uso de psicofármacos na profilaxia da depressão puerperal.

OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to characterize the use of antidepressants in the management of postpartum depression. METHOD: an integrative literature review of the PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases was used, with the application of descriptors, aiming to answer the guiding question of the work, between February 25th and March 10th, 2019. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles were selected that were later submitted to categorization. RESULTS: sertraline should be the drug of choice for the pharmacological treatment of puerperal depression. It was also found that the prophylactic use of antidepressants in susceptible women is controversial and little is known about the possible side effects. In addition, it was found that there is no consensus on the superiority of pharmacological therapy to the detriment of psychotherapies. CONCLUSION: there is evidence supporting the use of sertraline, paroxetine, duloxetine, nortriptyline and imipramine to treat women with postpartum depression, and breastfeeding is always recommended. It is worth noting that the need for studies with representative samples to validate or restrict the use of psychotropic drugs in the prophylaxis of puerperal depression emerges.

OBJETIVO: el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la utilización de antidepresivos en el manejo de la depresión posparto. MÉTODO: revisión integradora de literatura, de las bases de datos PubMed y Biblioteca Virtual de Salud, con aplicación de descriptores, para responder a la pregunta orientadora del trabajo, entre el 25 de febrero y el 10 de marzo de 2019. Con base en los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron 23 artículos que posteriormente se sometieron a categorización. RESULTADOS: la sertralina debe ser la droga elegida para el tratamiento farmacológico de la depresión puerperal. Además, se constató que la utilización profiláctica de antidepresivos en mujeres susceptibles es discutible y poco se sabe sobre los posibles efectos colaterales. Asimismo, se encontró que no hay consenso sobre la superioridad de la terapia farmacológica en detrimento de las psicoterapias. CONCLUSIÓN: hay evidencias que fundamentan el uso de sertralina, paroxetina, duloxetina, nortriptilina e imipramina para tratar a mujeres con depresión posparto, siendo la lactancia siempre recomendada. Se destaca que surge la necesidad de realizar estudios con muestras representativas para validar o restringir el uso de psicofármacos en la profilaxis de la depresión puerperal.

El escándalo de la cloroquina / The chloroquine scandal

El autor aborda el caso de la cloroquina y la hidroxicloroquina en el contexto de la actual pandemia de COVID-19, a través de dos ejes centrales. Por un lado, el escándalo a nivel editorial y de comunicación de la evidencia, y por otro, el de la toma de decisiones en salud pública. Describe flagrantes debilidades en la cadena de generación, difusión y aplicación del nuevo conocimiento. Adicionalmente, explora iniciativas y propuestas que podrían contribuir a solucionar estos problemas. (AU)

The author addresses the case of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, through two central axes. On the one hand, the scandal at the editorial and communication level of the evidence, and on the other, that of decision-making in public health. He describes flagrant weaknesses in the chain of generation, diffusion,and application of new knowledge. Additionally, it explores initiatives and proposals that could contribute to solving these problems. (AU)

Which of available selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is more effective in treatment of premature ejaculation? A randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of available selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in order to find the most effective drug with the least number of side effects in treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. Four hundred and eighty patients with PE in the 4 groups referred to Imam Reza hospital Tehran, Iran from July 2018 to February 2019 were enrolled in the study. The patients received sertraline 50mg, fluoxetine 20mg, paroxetine 20mg and citalopram 20mg, every 12 hours daily. The intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) before treatment, fourth and eighth weeks after treatment was recorded by the patient's wife with a stopwatch. Results: Mean IELT before, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment in four groups were: sertraline 69.4±54.3, 353.5±190.4, 376.3±143.5; fluoxetine 75.5±64.3, 255.4±168.2, 314.8±190.4; paroxetine 71.5±69.1, 320.7±198.3, 379.9±154.3; citalopram 90.39±79.3, 279.9±192.1, 282.5±171.1 seconds, respectively. The ejaculation time significantly increased in all groups (p <0.05), but there was no significant difference between the groups (P=0.75). Also, there was no significant difference in drugs side effects between groups (p >0.05). The most common side effects were drowsiness and dyspepsia, which were not severe enough to cause discontinuation of the drug. Conclusions: All available SSRIs were effective and usually had no serious complications. In patients who did not respond to any of these drugs, other SSRI drugs could be used as a salvage therapy.

Pharmacological and Neuromodulatory Treatments for Panic Disorder: Clinical Trials from 2010 to 2018

OBJECTIVE: Treatment for panic disorder (PD) have evolved, although there is still a strong unmet need for more effective and tolerable options. The present study summarizes and discusses recent evidence regarding the pharmacological and neuromodulatory treatment of PD. METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Thomson Reuters’s Web of Science were searched for clinical trials published between 2010 and 2018. We included all prospective experimental studies including randomized controlled trials (RCT) and other clinical trials with more than 10 patients. RESULTS: Only 11 articles met the inclusion criteria, including 4 RCT, 3 open clinical trials and 5 comparative clinical trials. RCT demonstrated efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in only one of two trials. Neither pindolol nor d-fenfluramine were effective in blocking flumazenil-induced panic attacks. Augmentation with quetiapine was not superior to placebo. Open trials indicated that escitalopram, vortioxetine and TMS may be effective. Comparative trials did not demonstrate superiority from any drug, but confirmed tranylcypromine, paroxetine, clonazepam and alprazolam as effective options. CONCLUSION: The current study confirmed the efficacy of tranylcypromine, paroxetine, clonazepam, alprazolam and escitalopram. Vortioxetine and TMS, with duration of 4 or more weeks, also seems to be effective. Quetiapine, pindolol and d-fenfluramine were not considered effective compounds.

The Evaluation of Drug Utilization Review on Potentially Inappropriate Medications for Elderly Patients in a Tertiary Hospital

OBJECTIVE: South Korea made a list of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for elderly patients in 2015 and has prompted medical professionals to prescribe proper medication by using the drug utilization review (DUR) system. It has been three years since the system was introduced, but related studies have rarely been conducted. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the DUR system on the prescription of PIMs for elderly patients. METHODS: The data on the prescription of PIMs for elderly patients (≥ 65 years) who received medical treatment between March 1st and May 31st in 2015 (before introduction of the DUR system) and who received medical treatment between March 1st and May 31st in 2018 (after introduction of the DUR system) were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: The prescriptions of PIMs decreased from 3,716 (7.7%) to 3,857 (6.9%) (p < 0.001). The prescription of escitalopram and paroxetine, among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, increased significantly, and that of short-acting benzodiazepines also increased significantly from 454 (0.93%) to 624 (1.2%). CONCLUSION: Prescription of PIMs for elderly patients significantly decreased (p < 0.001) after the DUR system was introduced. Further expanded studies of PIMs need to be conducted for the safety of elderly patients.

Prescripción de paroxetina en adolescentes Colombianos / Prescription of paroxetine in Colombian adolescents

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar la frecuencia de uso de paroxetina en pacientes adolescentes menores de 20 años afiliados al sistema de salud colombiano. Métodos Estudio de corte transversal, a partir de una base de datos poblacional de personas afiliadas al Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Colombia entre primero de enero 2011 y 31 diciembre 2015 buscando los pacientes menores de 20 años que hubiesen recibido cualquier presentación de paroxetina. Para el análisis de datos se establecieron frecuencias y proporciones. Resultados Se hallaron 777 sujetos prescritos con paroxetina durante los cinco años de evaluación, con edad promedio de 53,8±16, dos años Solo 36 pacientes menores de 20 años lo recibían, especialmente hombres (n=24; 64,8%) con edad media de 17,7±1,8 años. La mayoría estaban siendo tratados en la ciudad de Bogotá (58,3%), seguidos de Medellín (16,7%) y Cartagena (8,3%). Conclusiones Una baja proporción de adolescentes están recibiendo paroxetina en Colombia lo que reduce el riesgo que puede representar este fármaco para ellos.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the frequency of paroxetine use in adolescent patients under 20 years of age enrolled in the Colombian Health System. Material and Methods Cross-sectional study, based on a population database of people enrolled in the Colombian Health System between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. The sample included patients under 20 years of age who had received any presentation of paroxetine. For data analysis, frequencies and proportions were established. Results 777 subjects were prescribed with paroxetine during the five years of evaluation, with an average age of 53.8 ± 16.2 years. Only 36 patients under 20 received it, especially men (n=24, 64.8%) with a mean age of 17.7 ± 1.8 years. Most of them were being treated in the city of Bogotá (58.3%), followed by Medellín (16.7%) and Cartagena (8.3%). Conclusions A low proportion of adolescents are receiving paroxetine in Colombia, which reduces the risk that this drug may pose on them.(AU)

Antidepressant drug paroxetine blocks the open pore of Kv3.1 potassium channel

In patients with epilepsy, depression is a common comorbidity but difficult to be treated because many antidepressants cause pro-convulsive effects. Thus, it is important to identify the risk of seizures associated with antidepressants. To determine whether paroxetine, a very potent selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), interacts with ion channels that modulate neuronal excitability, we examined the effects of paroxetine on Kv3.1 potassium channels, which contribute to highfrequency firing of interneurons, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Kv3.1 channels were cloned from rat neurons and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Paroxetine reversibly reduced the amplitude of Kv3.1 current, with an IC₅₀ value of 9.43 µM and a Hill coefficient of 1.43, and also accelerated the decay of Kv3.1 current. The paroxetine-induced inhibition of Kv3.1 channels was voltage-dependent even when the channels were fully open. The binding (k₊₁) and unbinding (k₋₁) rate constants for the paroxetine effect were 4.5 µM⁻¹s⁻¹ and 35.8 s⁻¹, respectively, yielding a calculated K(D) value of 7.9 µM. The analyses of Kv3.1 tail current indicated that paroxetine did not affect ion selectivity and slowed its deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon. Paroxetine inhibited Kv3.1 channels in a usedependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that paroxetine blocks the open state of Kv3.1 channels. Given the role of Kv3.1 in fast spiking of interneurons, our data imply that the blockade of Kv3.1 by paroxetine might elevate epileptic activity of neural networks by interfering with repetitive firing of inhibitory neurons.

Korean Guidelines for the Pharmacological Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: Initial Treatment Strategies

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to provide clinical consensus and evidence regarding initial treatment strategies for the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in Korea. METHODS: We prepared a questionnaire to derive a consensus from clinicians regarding their preference for the pharmacological treatment of SAD in Korea. Data regarding medication regimens and psychotropic drugs used during initial treatment, the doses used, and the pharmacological treatment duration were obtained. Responses were obtained from 66 SAD experts, and their opinions were classified into three categories (first-line, second-line, third-line) using a chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Clinicians agreed upon first-line regimens for SAD involving monotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) venlafaxine, or combined therapy using antidepressants with betablockers or benzodiazepines on a standing or as-needed basis. First-line psychotropic drug choices for initial treatment included the following: escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, and propranolol. The medication dosage used by domestic clinicians was found to be comparable with foreign guidelines. Domestic clinicians tended to make treatment decisions in a shorter amount of time and preferred a similar duration of maintenance treatment for SAD when compared with foreign clinicians. CONCLUSION: This study may provide significant information for developing SAD pharmacotherapy guidelines in Korea, especially in the early stage of treatment.

Effects of Paroxetine on a Human Ether-a-go-go-related Gene (hERG) K⁺ Channel Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes and on Cardiac Action Potential

K⁺ channels are key components of the primary and secondary basolateral Cl- pump systems, which are important for secretion from the salivary glands. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for psychiatric disorders that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. We studied the effects of paroxetine on a human K⁺ channel, human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), expressed in Xenopus oocytes and on action potential in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The hERG encodes the pore-forming subunits of the rapidly-activating delayed rectifier K⁺ channel (I(Kr)) in the heart. Mutations in hERG reduce I(Kr) and cause type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2), a disorder that predisposes individuals to life-threatening arrhythmias. Paroxetine induced concentration-dependent decreases in the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and time-dependent, but voltage-independent during each voltage pulse. In guinea pig ventricular myocytes held at 36℃, treatment with 0.4 µM paroxetine for 5 min decreased the action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD₉₀) by 4.3%. Our results suggest that paroxetine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects of clinical administration of paroxetine.

MicroRNA-451a, microRNA-34a-5p, and microRNA-221-3p as predictors of response to antidepressant treatment

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to be involved in early observations of depression. The aim of this study was to determine if serum levels of miRNA-451a, miRNA-34a-5p, and miRNA-221-3p can serve as indicators of disease progression or therapeutic efficacy in depression. We collected data from 84 depressed patients and 78 control volunteers recruited from the medical staff at the West China Hospital. Depression severity was rated using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Serum miRNA-451a, miRNA-34a-5p, and miRNA-221-3p levels were determined in samples from the depressed patients before and 8 weeks after antidepressant treatment as well as in samples from controls. Compared with the controls, the patients had lower miRNA-451a levels, higher miRNA-34a-5p and miRNA-221-3p levels, and increased HAMD scores whether they underwent antidepressant treatment or not. Eight weeks after antidepressant treatment, the patients exhibited increased miRNA-451a levels, decreased miRNA-34a-5p and miRNA-221-3p levels, and reduced HAMD scores. The serum level of miRNA-451a was negatively correlated with HAMD scores of the patients, while the serum levels of miRNA-34a-5p and miRNA-221-3p were positively correlated with HAMD scores whether the patients underwent antidepressant treatment or not. Paroxetine was markedly effective in 50 patients who also displayed an increased level of miRNA-451a but reduced levels of miRNA-34a-5p and miRNA-221-3p. In contrast, paroxetine was moderately effective or ineffective in 34 patients. In conclusion, depressed patients had lower serum miRNA-451a but higher serum miRNA-34a-5p and miRNA-221-3p, and these miRNAs are potential predictors of the efficacy of antidepressants.

Paroxetine versus Venlafaxine and Escitalopram in Korean Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Rater-blinded, Six-week Study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of escitalopram, paroxetine and venlafaxine in Korean patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: A total of 449 Korean MDD patients were recruited in a six-week, randomized, rater-blinded, active-controlled trial and were evenly randomized to paroxetine, venlafaxine, or escitalopram treatment. RESULTS: When comparing the mean difference for the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) total scores during six weeks, paroxetine (−6.4±0.4, and −5.4±0.4, respectively) was found to be significantly superior to escitalopram (−3.7±0.5 and −3.1±0.4, respectively). Venlafaxine had a significantly lower MADRS total score (−5.4±0.4) than escitalopram. When adjusting baseline variables, the response, according to the MADRS and HDRS scores, in the paroxetine group was greater than that for the escitalopram group (odds ratio [OR]=2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.42–4.16 for MADRS; and OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.35–3.97 for HDRS) and the venlafaxine group (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.17–3.21 for MADRS; and OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.03–2.83 for HDRS). Despite that the overall tolerability was high and similar among the three groups, a total of 268 subjects (59.7%) prematurely discontinued treatment, representing the main limitation of the present study. CONCLUSION: Although a low study completion rate limits generalizability, our findings suggest that paroxetine might be superior to escitalopram in Korean MDD patients. Further studies should be conducted to draw a definite conclusion.

Early Improvement and Marriage Are Determinants of the 12-Month Treatment Outcome of Paroxetine in Outpatients with Panic Disorder

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the determinants of remission and discontinuation of paroxetine pharmacotherapy in outpatients with panic disorder (PD). METHODS: Subjects were 79 outpatients diagnosed with PD who took 10–40 mg/day of paroxetine for 12 months. The candidate therapeutic determinants included the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region and the −1019C/G promoter polymorphism of the serotonin receptor 1A as genetic factors, educational background and marital status as environmental factors, and early improvement (EI) at 2 weeks as a clinical factor were assessed. The Clinical Global Impression scale was used to assess the therapeutic effects of the pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to investigate the significant predictive factors of remission and discontinuation. EI was only a significant predictive factor of remission. EI was a significant predictive factor of remission (hazard ratio [HR], 2.709; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.177–6.235). Otherwise, EI and marital status were significant predictive factors of the discontinuation. EI (HR, 0.266; 95% CI, 0.115–0.617) and being married (HR, 0.437; 95% CI, 0.204–0.939) were considered to reduce the risk of treatment discontinuation. In married subjects, EI was a significant predictive factor of the discontinuation (HR, 0.160; 95% CI, 0.045–0.565). However, in unmarried subjects, EI was not a significantly predictive factor for the discontinuation. CONCLUSION: EI achievement appears to be a determinant of PD remission in paroxetine treatment. In married PD patients, EI achievement also appears to reduce a risk of discontinuation of paroxetine treatment.

TeleCondutas: ansiedade / TeleGuides: anxiety

A ansiedade pode ser vista como sintoma psiquiátrico e/ou como reação emocional não patológica associada a diversos contextos de vida. Ela representa um sinal de alarme a determinado estímulo percebido pelo indivíduo como perigoso. Em geral, é composta por uma combinação variável de sintomas físicos, pensamentos catastróficos e alterações de comportamento. A ansiedade pode ser compreendida como mecanismo evolutivo, isto é, uma ferramenta que nos ajuda a detectar o perigo e adotar as medidas necessárias para lidar com ele. No entanto, esse recurso adaptativo muitas vezes encontra-se desregulado, causando sofrimento e prejuízo ao desempenho social e/ou profissional. A ansiedade se torna um transtorno psiquiátrico quando representa emoção desconfortável e inconveniente, surgindo na ausência de um estímulo externo claro ou com magnitude suficiente para justificá-la, e apresenta intensidade, persistência e frequência desproporcionais. Estudos epidemiológicos indicam os transtornos de ansiedade como os mais prevalentes dentre os transtornos psiquiátricos. Na grande maioria dos casos, não há como estabelecer uma causa específica aos transtornos aqui tratados. A interação entre fatores genéticos e ambientais resume a etiologia atualmente proposta e aceita. Esta guia apresenta informação que orienta a conduta para casos de ansiedade no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde, incluindo: Diagnóstico, Diagramas diagnósticos, Condições de saúde associadas aos sintomas, Fármacos associados aos sintomas, Abordagem psicoeducativa/psicossocial, Tratamento conforme diagnóstico, Medicamentos e dose, Quando encaminhar.

Análisis de costo-efectividad de escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina y venlafaxina como terapia de mantenimiento para pacientes con trastorno de ansiedad generalizada en Colombia / Cost-effectiveness analysis of escitalopram compared to paroxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine as maintenance therapy for patients with generalized anxiety disorder in Colombia

Problema de investigación: Describir los costos y la efectividad de escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina y venlafaxina como terapia de mantenimiento en adultos con diagnóstico de trastorno de ansiedad generalizada en Colombia. Tipo de evaluación económica: Análisis de costo-utilidad. Población objetivo: Adultos colombianos con diagnóstico de trastorno de ansiedad generalizada. Intervención y comparadores: Intervención: escitalopram, Comparadores: paroxetina, sertralina y venlafaxina. Horizonte temporal: 32 semanas. Perspectiva: SGSSS. Tasa de descuento: No aplica. Estructura del modelo: Se estructuró un árbol de decisión, teniendo en cuenta modelos publicados en la literatura. Fuentes de datos de efectividad y seguridad: Reporte de efectividad y seguridad elaborado en diciembre de 2014 en el IETS, Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Desenlaces y valoración: AVAC, Tasa de respuesta al medicamento, Tasa de recaídas con el medicamento. Costos incluidos: Costo de los medicamentos, Costo de procedimientos, Costo de los eventos adversos. Fuentes de datos de costos: SISMED, Manual tarifario ISS 2001. Resultados del caso base: Para el caso base, escitalopram es la alternativa cost-efectiva con un costo esperado de $39.127.045 respecto a sertralina. La RICE de paroxetina fue superior al umbral de costo-efectividad de 3 veces el PIB per cápita. Venlafaxina fue dominada por todos los demás medicamentos. Se encuentra gran incertidumbre en la decisión y una e fectividad esperada muy similar entre todas las alternativas, por lo que estos resultados deben analizarse con precaución. Análisis de sensibilidad: Los análisis de sensibilidad y el diagrama de tornado mostraron que las variables con mayor impacto sobre las estimaciones de costo-utilidad del escitalopram son la probabilidad de respuesta, ponderaciones de utilidad, las dosis de los medicamentos y el desenlace utilizado. Conclusiones y discusión: Escitalopram parece ofrecer una mejorrelación entre costos y efectividad respecto a sus comparadores. No obstante, es necesario tener en cuenta que sertralina y paroxetina pueden llegar a ser costo-efectivas bajo escenarios plausibles. Venlafaxina obtuvo una peor relación de costos y beneficios comparativos. La principal limitación de este estudio se centra en la ausencia de ensayos clínicos de no inferioridad con un horizonte de largo plazo.(AU)

Análisis de costo-efectividad de escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, fluoxetina, sertralina, fluvoxamina y clomipramina como terapia de mantenimiento para pacientes con trastorno obsesivo compulsivo en Colombia / Cost-effectiveness analysis of escitalopram compared to paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine and clomipramine as maintenance therapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder in Colombia

Problema de investigación: Analizar los costos y la efectividad del escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, fluvoxamina y clomipramina como terapia de mantenimiento de primera línea en pacientes con trastorno obsesivo compulsivo en Colombia. Tipo de evaluación económica: Análisis de costo-efectividad. Población objetivo: Pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de trastorno obsesivo compulsivo. Intervención y comparadores: Comparadores: paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, fluvoxamina y clomipramina. Horizonte temporal: 32 semanas. Perspectiva: Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS). Tasa de descuento: No aplica. Estructura del modelo: Árbol de decisión. Fuentes de datos de efectividad y seguridad: Reporte de efectividad y seguridad, Ensayos clínicos aleatorios. Desenlaces y valoración: Años de vida ajustados por calidad (AVAC). Costos incluidos: Costo de los medicamentos, Costo de procedimientos, Costo de los eventos adversos. Fuentes de datos de costos: SISMED, Manual tarifario ISS 2001. Resultados del caso base: En el escenario del caso base, fluvoxamina, fluoxetina, paroxetina y clomipramina son dominados por sertralina y escitalopram. El costo por AVAC es $16.084.456 de escitalopram comparado con sertralina. Análisis de sensibilidad: Los análisis de sensibilidad y el diagrama de tornado mostraron que las variables con mayor impacto sobre las estimaciones de costo-efectividad del escitalopram son la probabilidad de respuesta y retiro por eventos adversos del medicamento sertralina. Conclusiones y discusión: Escitalopram parece ofrecer una mejor relación entre costos y efectividad respecto a sus comparadores. La principal limitación de este estudio se centra en la ausencia de ensayos clínicos de no inferioridad con un horizonte de largo plazo. La principal limitación de este estudio se centra en la ausencia de ensayos clínicos de no inferioridad con un horizonte de largo plazo.(AU)

Análisis de costo-efectividad de escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina y venlafaxina como terapia de mantenimiento para pacientes con trastorno de fobia social en Colombia / Cost-effectiveness analysis of escitalopram compared to paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine and venlafaxine as maintenance therapy for patients with social phobia disorder in Colombia

Problema de investigación: Describir los costos y la efectividad de escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, y venlafaxina como terapia de mantenimiento en adultos con diagnóstico de trastorno de fobia social en Colombia. Tipo de evaluación económica: Análisis de costo-utilidad. Población objetivo: Adultos colombianos con diagnóstico de trastorno de fobia social. Intervención y comparadores: Intervención: escitalopram, Comparadores: paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, y venlafaxina. Horizonte temporal: 32 semanas. Perspectiva: SGSSS. Tasa de descuento: No aplica. Estructura del modelo: Se estructuró un árbol de decisión, teniendo en cuenta modelos publicados en la literatura. Fuentes de datos de efectividad y seguridad: Reporte de efectividad y seguridad elaborado en diciembre de 2014 en el IETS, Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Desenlaces y valoración: AVAC, Tasa de respuesta al medicamento. Costos incluidos: Costo de los medicamentos, Costo de procedimientos, Costo de los eventos adversos. Fuentes de datos de costos: SISMED. Manual tarifario ISS 2001. Resultados del caso base: Para el caso base, paroxetina, sertralina y venlafaxina son dominados por fluoxetina y escitalopram. El costo por AVAC ganado con escitalopram comparado con fluoxetina se estimó en $30.968.662. Todas las alternativas tienen una efectividad esperada muy similar. Análisis de sensibilidad: Los análisis de sensibilidad y el diagrama de tornado mostraron que las variables con mayor impacto sobre las estimaciones de costo-utilidad del escitalopram son la probabilidad de respuesta y las ponderaciones de utilidad. Conclusiones y discusión: Escitalopram parece ofrecer una mejor relación entre costos y efectividad respecto a sus comparadores. No obstante, es necesario tener en cuenta que sertralina, paroxetina y fluoxetina pueden llegar a ser costo-efectivas debido a que variaciones en los parámetros de efectividad y utilidad pueden cambiar la decisión. Venlafaxina obtuvo una peor relación de costos y beneficios comparativos. La principal limitación de este estudio se centra en la ausencia de ensayos clínicos de no inferioridad con un horizonte de largo plazo. (AU)

Análisis de costo-efectividad del escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, imipramina y fluvoxamina como terapia de mantenimiento para pacientes con trastorno de pánico en Colombia / Cost-effectiveness analysis of escitalopram compared to paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine, imipramine and fluvoxamine as maintenance therapy for patients with panic disorder in Colombia

Problema de investigación: Describir los costos y la efectividad de escitalopram comparado con paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, imipramina y fluvoxamina como terapia de mantenimiento en adultos con diagnóstico de trastorno de pánico en Colombia. Tipo de evaluación económica: Análisis de costo-efectividad. Población objetivo: Adultos colombianos con diagnóstico de trastorno de pánico. Intervención y comparadores: Intervención: escitalopram, Comparadores: paroxetina, sertralina, fluoxetina, imipramina y fluvoxamina. Horizonte temporal: 32 semanas. Perspectiva: SGSSS de Colombia. Tasa de descuento: No aplica. Estructura del modelo: Se estructuró un árbol de decisión, teniendo en cuenta modelos publicados en la literatura. Fuentes de datos de efectividad y seguridad: Reporte de efectividad y seguridad elaborado en diciembre de 2014 en el IETS, Ensayo s clínicos a leatorizados. Desenlaces y valoración: Ausencia de crisis de pánico, Semanas libres de crisis de pánico. Costos incluidos: Costo de los medicamentos, Costo de procedimientos, Costo de los eventos adversos. Fuentes de datos de costos: SISMED, Manual tarifario ISS 2001. Resultados del caso base: Para el caso base, escitalopram, fluvoxamina y fluoxetina e imipramina fueron tecnologías dominadas por sertralina y paroxetina. El costo adicional por crisis de pánico evitada en tratamiento con paroxetina comparado con trasertralina se estimó en $4.814.953. Análisis de sensibilidad: Los análisis de sensibilidad y el diagrama de tornado muestran a la probabilidad de lograr ausencia de crisis de pánico y la probabilidad de recaída, como a las variables con mayor impacto sobre las estimaciones de la razón de costo-efectividad. Conclusiones y discusión: De acuerdo con los hallazgos aquí presentados, paroxetina, ofrece mayor razón de costo-efectividad, respecto a sus comparadores. No obstante, es \r\nnecesario tener en cuenta que cualquiera de las alternativas aquí estudiadas, puede ser costo-efectiva, debido a que las pequeñas variaciones en la probabilidad de ausencia de crisis de pánico pueden cambiar el resultado. La principal limitación de este estudio es la ausencia de información roveniente de estudios de investigación clínica, que muestre el desempeño comparativo entre las tecnologías, así como el seguimiento de los participantes en los estudios, en escenarios de más largo plazo que los existentes al momento de elaborar este documento.(AU)