Vortioxetine for Menopausal Depression

Vortioxetine for Menopausal Depression and Associated Symptoms

The broad goal of this study was to examine the efficacy and tolerability of vortioxetine (flexible dose) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in symptomatic women around the menopausal transition. We hypothesized that an eight-week treatment with vortioxetine would promote a significant improvement of depression symptoms and other menopause-related physical symptoms.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression; Hot Flashes; Sleep; Menopause; Vasomotor Disturbance
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: vortioxetine

Detailed Description

Forty-seven peri- and postmenopausal women were enrolled in this open-label study. This was an 8-week intervention using open-label vortioxetine with flexible dose between 5-20 mg, dependent on participant response and tolerability. In addition to assessment of depressive symptoms, improvement of menopause-related physical and emotional symptoms that occur with MDD, including vasomotor symptoms, cognition, fatigue, anxiety, sleep complaints, and quality of life, were also examined.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 47
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
      • Massachusetts General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 40 years to 62 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women aged 40-62 years who are perimenopausal or early postmenopausal (within 5 years of the last menstrual period if not surgically postmenopausal), including:

   1. Perimenopausal women who have experienced changes in menstrual cycle frequency or duration, and/or physical symptoms indicative of menopausal transition, as determined by clinician
   2. Women who are using the Mirena Intrauterine Device (IUD), with Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level > 20 milli-International unit/ml (mIU/mL)
2. Women meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria for major depression (assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - M.I.N.I.)
3. MADRS scores of at least 20 at baseline visit

4. Women with significant menopause-related physical symptoms, indicated by any of the following criteria:

   1. Greene Climacteric Scale total scores > 20;
   2. Greene Climacteric Scale sub-score for vasomotor symptoms >3;
   3. 14 or more bothersome hot flashes per week (self-reported).
5. Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy (determined by urine pregnancy test), intending pregnancy, or breast feeding.
2. Women whose primary diagnosis is Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or any other Axis I pathology active within 6 months prior to screening visit (except for specific phobias). Anxiety disorders are allowable if secondary to MDD as the primary diagnosis.
3. History of or current mania/hypomania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder
4. Regular treatment with an Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI) within 2 months prior to screening visit
5. Serious suicidal ideation or intent
6. Women who have used psychoactive or centrally acting medications within 2 weeks prior to study screening
7. Women who have received hormonal intervention within 1 month prior to study entry
8. Known hypersensitivity to vortioxetine or any of the inactive ingredients
9. Treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of randomization or potential need to use an MAOI during the study or within 21 days of discontinuation of study drug
10. Treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue
11. Patients with severe hepatic impairment
12. Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/90 mmHg)
13. Resting heart rate >110/minute
14. Any current severe or unstable medical illness
15. Not using a medically approved method of birth control, if sexually active and not 12 or more months since last menstrual period
16. Drug or alcohol abuse in the past 1 year
17. Use of any disallowed medications (specified in the Excluded Concomitant Medication section below)
18. Concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial

Excluded Concomitant Medications:

• Selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Hormonal contraceptives, excluding Mirena IUD
• Natural menopause supplements
• Episodic sleep medications (chronic, regular, stable-dose benzodiazepines are allowed)
• Antidepressants
• Phytoestrogens
• Soy-based medications
• Steroids
• Anorectics, appetite depressants

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: open-label vortioxetine; flexible-dose vortioxetine of 5-20 mg depending on tolerability	Drug: vortioxetine; Eligible subjects will initiate the treatment with 5 mg/day for two days and then 10 mg/day starting on Day 3. The dosage may be increased from 10 mg/day to 15 mg/day at Visit 2 or Visit 3. At Visit 4, the dosage may again be increased from 10 to 15 mg/day or from 15 to 20 mg/day, based on patient response and tolerability.; Other Names: Trintellix

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale Score (MADRS) at Week 8 (Visit 5)	The efficacy of vortioxetine for trea-ting depressive symptoms was measured by mean change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) depression score from Baseline (Visit 1) to Week 8 (Visit 5). The MADRS score was assessed at every study visit (Visits 1-5). Participants were considered to have responded to vortioxetine if their MADRS score was reduced by 50% or more from baseline to the end of treatment, and to be in remission if their final MADRS score was less than 10. Higher MADRS score indicates more severe depression. The overall MADRS score ranges from 0 to 60.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS) Frequency During Daytime at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) were tracked and quantified prospectively using a daily hot flash diary. The hot flash diary was adapted from a 7-day self-report tool for vasomotor symptoms originally developed by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). The diary asks for the subject to log number of hot flashes during the day and night, severity of hot flashes during day and night, and how bothersome the hot flashes were during day and night.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS) Severity During Daytime at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) were tracked and quantified prospectively using a daily hot flash diary. The hot flash diary was adapted from a 7-day self-report tool for vasomotor symptoms originally developed by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). The diary asks for the subject to log number of hot flashes during the day and night, severity of hot flashes during day and night, and how bothersome the hot flashes were during day and night. Severity of VMS: The range of scores for severity of VMS is 0-2, with higher scores indicating greater severity. 0=mild, 1=moderate, 2=severe	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS) Frequency During Nighttime at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) were tracked and quantified prospectively using a daily hot flash diary. The hot flash diary was adapted from a 7-day self-report tool for vasomotor symptoms originally developed by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). The diary asks for the subject to log number of hot flashes during the day and night, severity of hot flashes during day and night, and how bothersome the hot flashes were during day and night.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS) Severity During Nighttime at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) were tracked and quantified prospectively using a daily hot flash diary. The hot flash diary was adapted from a 7-day self-report tool for vasomotor symptoms originally developed by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). The diary asks for the subject to log number of hot flashes during the day and night, severity of hot flashes during day and night, and how bothersome the hot flashes were during day and night. Severity of VMS: The range of scores for severity of VMS is 0-2, with higher scores indicating greater severity. 0=mild, 1=moderate, 2=severe	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Cognition and physical functioning was measured by self-report responses to Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ).The range of scores is from 7-42. Higher scores indicate lower cognitive and executive functioning.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Anxiety was measured by self-report responses to Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). It is a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory that is used for measuring the severity of anxiety in children and adults. Several studies have found the Beck Anxiety Inventory to be an accurate measure of anxiety symptoms in children and adults. Higher scores on the BAI indicate more anxiety symptoms. The range of BAI scores is from 0 to 63, with 0-9=Minimal anxiety, 10-16=Mild anxiety, 17-29=Moderate anxiety, and 30-63=Severe anxiety.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Sleep quality and disturbances during the past month were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI also incorporates daytime functioning into the total score. In scoring the PSQI, seven component scores are derived, each scored 0 (no difficulty) to 3 (severe difficulty). The component scores are summed to produce a global score (range 0 to 21). Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality. The range of scores is 0-21.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Quality of life, menopause-specific, is assessed by the Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL). The MENQOL is self-administered and consists of a total of 29 items in a Likert-scale format. Each item assesses the impact of one of four domains of menopausal symptoms, as experienced over the last month: vasomotor (items 1-3), psychosocial (items 4-10), physical (items 11-26), and sexual (items 27-29). Items pertaining to a specific symptom are rated as present or not present, and if present, how bothersome on a zero (not bothersome) to six (extremely bothersome) scale. Means are computed for each subscale by dividing the sum of the domain's items by the number of items within that domain. Non-endorsement of an item is scored a "1" and endorsement a "2", plus the number of the particular rating, so that the possible score on any item ranges from 1-8. Total score also ranges from 1-8. Higher scores indicate that menopause symptoms are more bothersome.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Fatigue (CGI-F) Scale Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Fatigue symptoms were assessed by the Clinical Global Impression-Fatigue (CGI-F) scale.The CGI-F is a single item global assessment scales to specifically evaluate symptoms of fatigue. Higher scores indicate more fatigue symptoms. The range of scores is from 0-7.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Scale Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Severity of illness was assessed by the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Scale. The CGI-S is a 7-point scale that requires the clinician to rate the severity of the patient's illness at the time of assessment, relative to the clinician's past experience with patients who have the same diagnosis. Considering total clinical experience, a patient is assessed on severity of mental illness at the time of rating 1, normal, not at all ill; 2, borderline mentally ill; 3, mildly ill; 4, moderately ill; 5, markedly ill; 6, severely ill; or 7, extremely ill. The range of scores is 0-7. Higher scores indicate greater severity of illness.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Pain Assessment (PEG) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Pain symptoms were assessed by the Pain Assessment (PEG). The PEG is a three-item scale assessing pain intensity and interference. A higher score indicates more pain symptoms. The range of scores is from 0 to 30.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Menopause related symptoms were assessed using the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). The Greene Scale provides a brief measure of menopause symptoms. It can be used to assess changes in different symptoms, before and after menopause treatment. Three main areas are measured: 1. Psychological (items 1-11). 2. Physical (items 12-18). 3. Vasomotor (items 19, 20). A higher score indicates that menopause symptoms are more bothersome. The range of scores is from 0 to 63.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)
Change From Baseline in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) Score at Week 8 (Visit 5)	Processing speed, working memory, visuospatial processing and attention was assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The DSST test requires the examinee to transcribe a unique geometric symbol with its corresponding Arabic number. The examinee is initially shown a key containing the numbers from 1 to 9. Under each number there is a corresponding geometric symbol. The examinee is then shown a series of boxes containing numbers in the top boxes, and blank boxes below them. After a short practice trial, they are then asked to copy the corresponding geometric symbol under each number. The raw score is the number of correct items completed within the prescribed time limit. Higher scores indicate faster processing speed, working memory, and visuospatial processing and attention. The range of scores is 0-63.	Baseline and Week 8 (Visit 5)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Collaborators: Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Loprinzi CL, Kugler JW, Sloan JA, Mailliard JA, LaVasseur BI, Barton DL, Novotny PJ, Dakhil SR, Rodger K, Rummans TA, Christensen BJ. Venlafaxine in management of hot flashes in survivors of breast cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2000 Dec 16;356(9247):2059-63. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)03403-6.
• Bang-Andersen B, Ruhland T, Jorgensen M, Smith G, Frederiksen K, Jensen KG, Zhong H, Nielsen SM, Hogg S, Mork A, Stensbol TB. Discovery of 1-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfanyl)phenyl]piperazine (Lu AA21004): a novel multimodal compound for the treatment of major depressive disorder. J Med Chem. 2011 May 12;54(9):3206-21. doi: 10.1021/jm101459g. Epub 2011 Apr 12.
• Bromberger JT, Assmann SF, Avis NE, Schocken M, Kravitz HM, Cordal A. Persistent mood symptoms in a multiethnic community cohort of pre- and perimenopausal women. Am J Epidemiol. 2003 Aug 15;158(4):347-56. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwg155.
• Pehrson AL, Cremers T, Betry C, van der Hart MG, Jorgensen L, Madsen M, Haddjeri N, Ebert B, Sanchez C. Lu AA21004, a novel multimodal antidepressant, produces regionally selective increases of multiple neurotransmitters--a rat microdialysis and electrophysiology study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Feb;23(2):133-45. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.04.006. Epub 2012 May 20.
• Pehrson AL, Sanchez C. Serotonergic modulation of glutamate neurotransmission as a strategy for treating depression and cognitive dysfunction. CNS Spectr. 2014 Apr;19(2):121-33. doi: 10.1017/S1092852913000540. Epub 2013 Aug 1.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 12, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 29, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): September 29, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 5, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 5, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): September 9, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 28, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 26, 2017
• Last Verified: June 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Hot Flashes; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Central Nervous System Depressants; Tranquilizing Agents; Psychotropic Drugs; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors; Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors; Membrane Transport Modulators; Serotonin Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; Serotonin Receptor Agonists; Serotonin Antagonists; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; Vortioxetine
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2014P001812

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No