Extended release quetiapine fumarate as adjunct to antidepressant therapy in patients with major depressive disorder: pooled analyses of data in patients with anxious depression versus low levels of anxiety at baseline

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate quetiapine XR in patients with anxious depression, as defined by HAM-A total and HAM-D anxiety/somatisation factor scores. Methods. Post hoc analyses of pooled data from two 6-week, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies of adjunctive quetiapine XR (150 or 300 mg/day) in patients with MDD and inadequate response to antidepressants. Patients were stratified in a primary analysis using HAM-A (HAM-A total score at baseline >= 20 ["high"] or <20 ["low"]) and a secondary analysis using HAM-D (anxious depression defined as HAM-D anxiety/somatisation factor score >= 7). Outcomes included change in MADRS total score. Results. In patients with high anxiety levels (HAM-A total score >= 20), reductions in MADRS total score were -15.20 (P = 0.122) and -15.92 (P < 0.05) for quetiapine XR 150 and 300 mg/day, respectively, vs. placebo (-13.49). In patients with low levels of anxiety (HAM-A total score < 20), both quetiapine XR doses (P < 0.001) improved MADRS total scores vs. placebo. In the secondary analysis, quetiapine XR 150 (P < 0.01) and 300 mg/day (P < 0.001) improved MADRS total score vs. placebo in patients with HAM-D anxiety/somatisation factor score >= 7. Conclusions. Adjunct quetiapine XR demonstrates efficacy in patients with anxious and non-anxious depression, assessed using HAM-A total score, and anxious depression assessed using HAM-D anxiety/somatisation factor score.