Title:Effects of Vortioxetine on Cognition and Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Depression: A Case Series Study
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Author(s): Anna Gil-Sanchez*, Marc Canudes, Petya Valcheva, Lara Nogueras, Cristina González-Mingot, José Vicente Hervás, Silvia Peralta, Maria Solana and Luis Brieva
Affiliation:
- Institute of Biomedical Research (IRB) of Lleida, Neuroimmunology Group, Lleida, Spain
Keywords:
Cognition, depression, fatigue, multiple sclerosis, antidepressants, vortioxetine.
Abstract:
Introduction: Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant drug that has been reported to
have a positive impact on cognition, social function, and fatigue. Nevertheless, it has not been widely
studied. Our objective was to explore the effects of vortioxetine on these and other parameters in patients
with multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression.
Patients and Methodology: This observational case series study included patients with MS and depression
who received treatment with vortioxetine for at least 6 months. The patient history of depression
and depressive symptoms was assessed. A neuropsychiatric evaluation was carried out using different
scales, both before and after treatment.
Results: Of the 25 patients who enrolled in the study, 17 completed the treatment. Significant improvements
were observed in health status (EQ-5D; p = 0.002), mood (Beck’s Depression Inventory,
BDI-II; p = 0.006), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI-State; p = 0.021, and STAI-Trait;
p = 0.011), and in the general health test (Short Form Health Survey, SF-36) for the vitality (p =
0.028) and mental health (p = 0.025) domains of the patients who completed the treatment. However,
no statistically significant differences were observed in the cognitive tests related to attention, information
processing speed, or fatigue.
Conclusion: In this population, vortioxetine treatment was effective in reducing the symptoms of depression
and improving anxiety, vitality, and mental health. In contrast, it did not produce any improvement
in cognition or fatigue but an increase in sample size would be necessary to confirm these results.