Brintellix® improves overall functioning with the greatest improvement observed at 20mg1

39% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit significant functional impairment†2 , which is predictive of subsequent relapse3,4 and can persist even when other symptoms resolve.4-6 Restoring patients’ function is a key treatment goal in MDD.7-11
Brintellix® (vortioxetine) significantly improves overall functioning at work, at home and socially in patients with MDD.‡1
 

In a meta-analysis, Brintellix® (5-20 mg) treatment for 6 or 8 weeks improved overall functioning as well as functional remission§ in adults with MDD, with a dose response relationship.‡1
 

Change in SDS single-item scores from baseline‡1

Adapted from Florea I et al. 2017

*p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001 vs placebo.

‡ Brintellix® 5 mg and 15 mg doses were not shown to be statistically significant.1 Brintellix® 5 mg is the recommended starting dose in elderly patients only.7

Watch the video with Dr. Pratap Chokka, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta (Canada), discussing how Brintellix®, in a dose-dependent manner, helps MDD patients achieve treatment goals by improving functional outcomes in their daily life.1

Dr Chokka also discusses further study outcomes, where Brintellix® (5-20 mg/day) showed significant improvements in symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), cognitive symptoms and performance (PDQ-D-5 and DSST) and health related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) scores at Week 24.#1

† Functional impairment is defined as having an SDS total score >6.2
‡ Data based on a meta-analysis of nine short-term, randomised, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose clinical studies of Brintellix®
in adult patients with MDD, with the objective to assess the effect of Brintellix® on overall functioning using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) in adults with MDD. Patients treated with Brintellix® 10 mg and 20 mg significantly improved overall functioning as measured by SDS, compared with placebo at 8 weeks. To account for previously identified issues related to the SDS work score, sensitivity analyses were conducted in which scores were calculated using three methods: (A) CRF worst case, where work related information were used to impute missing work scores, (B) imputed average scores, where the average of the two available items – social and family – is used to impute the missing work items, (C) assumed worst case score, where a worst case score of 10 is assumed and imputed for all missing work items.1
§ Functional remission was defined as an SDS total score of ≤6.1
# Data based on non-interventional, multinational, prospective cohort study in 737 outpatients initiating treatment with Brintellix® for MDD.13


Abbreviations:
DSST, digital symbol substitution test; EQ-5D-5L, EuroQol 5 dimensions 5 levels; MDD, major depressive disorder; PHQ-9, 9-question patient health questionnaire; PHQ-D-5, 5-item perceived deficits questionnaire – depression; SDS, Sheehan disability score.

References

1. Florea I et al. Brain Behav 2017; 7(3): e00622.
2. Wang Y et al. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 98: 152-64.
3. IsHak WW et al. J Affect Disord 2013; 151(1): 59-65.
4. IsHak WW et al. Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2016; 7(3): 160-9.
5. Culpepper L et al. Am J Med 2015; 128(9 Suppl): S1-15.
6. Trivedi M et al. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2009; 24(3): 133-8.
7. Lam RW et al. Can J Psychiatry. 2024;7067437241245384.
8. American Psychiatric Association. 2010. 3rd ed. Arlington, VA.
9. Malhi GS et al. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2021;55:7-117.
10. Bauer M et al. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2013;14(5):334-85.
11. Cleare A et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(5):459-525.
12. Brintellix® Summary of Product Characteristics. January 2024.
13. Mattingly G et al. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:824831.