Effectiveness of Vortioxetine in Relieving Chronic Pain in Patients with Associated Depression in a Spanish Population

Background/Objectives: The joint presence of chronic pain (CP) and depression is frequent, exacerbating symptoms of both conditions. Although tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors are effective treatments, they are frequently not well tolerated, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are not useful for controlling CP. This study investigated vortioxetine's effectiveness in relieving CP in patients with any degree of depression. Methods: Patient data with any degree of depression and with CP (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] score >= 4) were collected and analyzed. Included patients (n = 142) were initially treated with vortioxetine 10 mg/day for 3 months. Improvement of patients' pain and condition was measured with the VAS, Patient Global Impression (PGI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales at 1 and 3 months. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was measured at baseline and 3 months. Additionally, at baseline and after 3 months of treatment, the Satisfaction with Medicines Questionnaire (SATMED-Q) and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were evaluated. Adverse Events (AEs) were recorded. Results: Patients showed significant improvement (p < 0.001) in VAS from baseline to 1 and 3 months (mean [SD]: 7.19 [0.62], 6.23 [0.80], and 5.41 [1.15], respectively). BPI and PHQ-9 scores also showed a significant decrease from baseline (mean [SD] of 6.05 [0.75] and 11.73 [4.89], respectively) to 3 months (5.11 [1.04] and 6.95 [2.52], respectively). Clinical improvement with the CGI and PGI scales were reported. According to the SATMED-Q, patients were satisfied with the treatment. Only a few mild EAs were recorded. Conclusions: Vortioxetine can improve both the severity and intensity of CP in patients with any degree of depression.