Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effectiveness of Long-Term Versus Short-Term Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder With Venlafaxine XR (NCT NCT00183274)

NCT ID: NCT00183274

Last Updated: 2017-01-16

Results Overview

Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety - The assessment of anxiety states by rating Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not present) to 4 (severe), with a total score range of 0-56, where \<17 indicates mild severity, 18-24 mild to moderate severity and 25-30 moderate to severe.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

268 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Measured at Months 6 (Open Label), 12 (Double-Blind), and 18 (Double-Blind Relapse)

Results posted on

2017-01-16

Participant Flow

Most patients (n=239) were recruited and seen by Penn research psychiatrists in 4 primary care practices; others (n=95) responded to media advertising (radio \& print ads) at the central clinic at the University of Pennsylvania

7-day washout period of any psychoactive medication;other antidepressants and herbal products. Subject on certain medications, such as monamine oxidase inhibitor, investigational and antipsychotic drugs had to be off these medications for at least 30 days.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Phase 1: Open-Label
Patients received 75mg - 225 mg of open-label venlafaxine XR for 6 months.
Phase 2: Double-Blind Venlafaxine XR
Responders to 6 months of open-label venlafaxine XR treatment were randomized to double-blind treatment in 60:40 ratio of drug to placebo
Phase 2: Double-Blind Placebo
Responders to 6 months of open-label venlafaxine XR treatment were randomized to double-blind treatment in a 60:40 ratio of drug to placebo
Phase 3: Double-Blind Relapse Phase (Drug After Drug)
Patients administered venlafaxine XR in phase 2 continued to take the drug during phase 3
Phase 3: Double-Blind Relapse Phase (Placebo After Drug)
Patients administered venlafaxine XR in Phase 2 were given a placebo in Phase 3
Phase 3: Double-Blind Relapse Phase (Placebo After Placebo)
Patients administered placebo in Phase 2 continued to take placebo during Phase 3
Phase 1: Open-Label
STARTED
268
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
COMPLETED
158
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
NOT COMPLETED
110
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 2: Double-Blind
STARTED
0
82
54
0
0
0
Phase 2: Double-Blind
COMPLETED
0
56
11
0
0
0
Phase 2: Double-Blind
NOT COMPLETED
0
26
43
0
0
0
Phase 3: Double-Blind
STARTED
0
0
0
15
34
10
Phase 3: Double-Blind
COMPLETED
0
0
0
13
14
6
Phase 3: Double-Blind
NOT COMPLETED
0
0
0
2
20
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Phase 1: Open-Label
Patients received 75mg - 225 mg of open-label venlafaxine XR for 6 months.
Phase 2: Double-Blind Venlafaxine XR
Responders to 6 months of open-label venlafaxine XR treatment were randomized to double-blind treatment in 60:40 ratio of drug to placebo
Phase 2: Double-Blind Placebo
Responders to 6 months of open-label venlafaxine XR treatment were randomized to double-blind treatment in a 60:40 ratio of drug to placebo
Phase 3: Double-Blind Relapse Phase (Drug After Drug)
Patients administered venlafaxine XR in phase 2 continued to take the drug during phase 3
Phase 3: Double-Blind Relapse Phase (Placebo After Drug)
Patients administered venlafaxine XR in Phase 2 were given a placebo in Phase 3
Phase 3: Double-Blind Relapse Phase (Placebo After Placebo)
Patients administered placebo in Phase 2 continued to take placebo during Phase 3
Phase 1: Open-Label
Adverse Event
31
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
Lack of Efficacy
13
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
Protocol Violation
11
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
Withdrawal by Subject
13
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
Lost to Follow-up
33
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 1: Open-Label
Other
9
0
0
0
0
0
Phase 2: Double-Blind
Relapsed
0
8
29
0
0
0
Phase 2: Double-Blind
Withdrawal by Subject
0
18
14
0
0
0
Phase 3: Double-Blind
Withdrawal by Subject
0
0
0
1
9
2
Phase 3: Double-Blind
Relapsed
0
0
0
1
11
2

Baseline Characteristics

Effectiveness of Long-Term Versus Short-Term Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder With Venlafaxine XR

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Venlafaxine XR
n=334 Participants
Venlafaxine XR flexible dose of 75 - 225 mg/d Venlafaxine XR : All participants will take venlafaxine for 6 months. After this initial 6 months, participants who are not randomized to placebo will continue to take venlafaxine.
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
4 Participants
n=93 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
280 Participants
n=93 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
50 Participants
n=93 Participants
Age, Continuous
46.11 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.14 • n=93 Participants
Gender
Female
210 Participants
n=93 Participants
Gender
Male
124 Participants
n=93 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
334 participants
n=93 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured at Months 6 (Open Label), 12 (Double-Blind), and 18 (Double-Blind Relapse)

Population: The primary efficacy analytic method was time-to-relapse analyses estimated using a discrete-time Cox proportional hazards model.

Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety - The assessment of anxiety states by rating Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not present) to 4 (severe), with a total score range of 0-56, where \<17 indicates mild severity, 18-24 mild to moderate severity and 25-30 moderate to severe.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Open-Label: Venlafaxine XR
n=268 Participants
A 6-month open label administration of flexible dose Venlafaxine XR that occurred between months 1 - 6 of study.
Double-Blind Venlafaxine XR
n=82 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of Venlafaxine XR that occurred between months 7 - 12.
Double-Blind Placebo
n=54 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of placebo that occurred between months 7 - 12.
Double-Blind Relapse Drug After Drug
n=15 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of Venlafaxine XR that occurred between months 13 - 18.
Double-Blind Relapse Placebo After Drug
n=34 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of placebo that occurred between months 13 - 18.
Double-Blind Placebo After Placebo
n=10 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of placebo that occurred between months 13 - 18.
Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety
4.17 HAM-A Rating Score
Standard Deviation 3.10
6.29 HAM-A Rating Score
Standard Deviation 5.44
11.35 HAM-A Rating Score
Standard Deviation 5.51
5.80 HAM-A Rating Score
Standard Deviation 4.95
8.42 HAM-A Rating Score
Standard Deviation 6.12
6.19 HAM-A Rating Score
Standard Deviation 5.76

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured at Months 6 (Open Label), 12 (Double-Blind), 18 (Double-Blind, and 24 (Double-Blind Relapse)

Population: The primary efficacy analytic method was time to relapse analyses estimated using a discrete time Cox proportional hazards model.Chisquare analyses were used to contrast relapse or responder rates. In the case of small cell sizes, Fisher exact test replaced chisquare analysis.

The CGI provides an overall clinician-determined summary measure that takes into account a knowledge of the patient's history, psychosocial circumstances, symptoms, behavior, and the impact of the symptoms on the patient's ability to function. The CGI is rated on the following seven-point scale: 1=normal, not at all ill; 2=borderline mentally ill; 3=mildly ill; 4=moderately ill; 5=markedly ill; 6=severely ill; 7=among the most extremely ill patients. Results of the "Placebo After Placebo" group in Phase 3 were not entered due to sample size limitations.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Open-Label: Venlafaxine XR
n=268 Participants
A 6-month open label administration of flexible dose Venlafaxine XR that occurred between months 1 - 6 of study.
Double-Blind Venlafaxine XR
n=82 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of Venlafaxine XR that occurred between months 7 - 12.
Double-Blind Placebo
n=54 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of placebo that occurred between months 7 - 12.
Double-Blind Relapse Drug After Drug
n=15 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of Venlafaxine XR that occurred between months 13 - 18.
Double-Blind Relapse Placebo After Drug
n=34 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of placebo that occurred between months 13 - 18.
Double-Blind Placebo After Placebo
n=10 Participants
A 6-month double-blind administration of placebo that occurred between months 13 - 18.
Clinical Global Impressions, Severity of Illness
1.37 Severity Score
Standard Deviation 0.65
1.73 Severity Score
Standard Deviation 1.27
2.64 Severity Score
Standard Deviation 1.25
1.86 Severity Score
Standard Deviation 1.01
2.25 Severity Score
Standard Deviation 1.17
1.95 Severity Score
Standard Deviation 1.31

Adverse Events

Venlafaxine XR

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 219 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Venlafaxine XR
n=268 participants at risk
Adverse events were expected with venlafaxine XR. AEs were reported at least once by at least 5% of the study population for all patients who entered treatment. None of the adverse events that were expected or that occurred were considered serious or life threatening.
General disorders
Abdominal Pain
9.7%
26/268
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
28.7%
77/268
General disorders
Decreased Orgasm
20.5%
55/268
General disorders
Decreased Sex Drive
25.4%
68/268
General disorders
Delayed Orgasm
7.1%
19/268
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
13.1%
35/268
General disorders
Drowsiness
41.4%
111/268
General disorders
Dry mouth
48.5%
130/268
General disorders
Faintness
7.8%
21/268
General disorders
Fatigue
28.4%
76/268
Gastrointestinal disorders
Flatulence
24.6%
66/268
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gas
6.7%
18/268
General disorders
Headache
36.2%
97/268
General disorders
Increased sweating
34.0%
91/268
General disorders
Insomnia
30.6%
82/268
General disorders
Jitteriness
27.6%
74/268
General disorders
Lightheadedness
38.8%
104/268
General disorders
Muscle Aches
18.7%
50/268
General disorders
Nausea
33.2%
89/268
General disorders
Nightmares
29.1%
78/268

Additional Information

Karl Rickels, M.D.

UPENN

Phone: 215-746-6417

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place