Venlafaxine extended-release in patients older than 80 years with depressive syndrome

Objectives: The aim of this evaluation was to assess the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine extended-release (ER) in very old primary care out-patients with depressive syndrome and associated anxiety symptoms. Methods: This was an observational, naturalistic, multicenter, prospective, open-label study in an outpatient population with a diagnosis of depressive syndrome with anxiety symptoms. Minimum scores of 17 and 10 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17) and Anxiety (HAM-A), respectively, were required. Daily doses of 75 mg to 225 mg of venlafaxine extended release (ER) were administered for 24 weeks. Effectiveness for depressive-anxious symptomatology was assessed using the HAM-D-17 and HAM-A scales. Patients: The 97 patients discussed in this report are a subgroup comprising all elderly patients, aged >= 80 years, who were part of the larger observational, naturalistic, multicenter, prospective, open-label study and who had received venlafaxine ER for a maximum duration of 24 weeks. Results: At endpoint, remission rates were 57.1% (HAM-D-17 <= 7), 66.2% (HAM-A <= 7), and 52% (HANI-D-17 <= 7 and HAM-A <= 7). Twenty patients (20.6%) dropped out or were withdrawn, Adverse events were reported by seven (7.2%) patients, none were reported as serious. Conclusions: Venlafaxine ER was shown to be an effective and safe drug for the treatment of very elderly primary care patients with depressive syndrome and associated anxiety symptoms. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.