Improvement in quality of life of postmenopausal women with depression with commonly used antidepressants (Escitalopram vs. Desvenlafaxine): A randomized controlled trial in a tertiary care teaching hospital of North India

Abstract

Introduction: The postmenopausal symptoms affect the quality of life (QoL) of women. Depression and anxiety too have been associated with diminished QoL. It is known that antidepressants escitalopram and desvenlafaxine are effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety. However, to the best of our knowledge, their comparative effect on the QoL of postmenopausal women with depression and anxiety has not been studied in the Indian setup. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized, intention to treat, open-label trial undertaken in North India's a tertiary care teaching hospital. Postmenopausal women attending the psychiatry outpatient department and newly diagnosed with depression and anxiety were randomized in two groups to receive Tab. Escitalopram 10–20 mg and Tab. Desvenlafaxine 50–100 mg. Their QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL BREF scale at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks. Results: Escitalopram was observed to be statistically better than desvenlafaxine in improving the overall QoL score of the WHOQOL-BREF scale. Individually, escitalopram significantly improved the scores of the physical health domain, psychological and environmental domains except for the social relationship domain. Desvenlafaxine significantly improved scores of all four domains. Conclusion: Escitalopram was observed to be significantly better than desvenlafaxine in improving the overall QoL scores. Both the drugs were well tolerated.

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• desvenlafaxine
• escitalopram
• postmenopausal women
• quality of life