Trial Outcomes & Findings for Vortioxetine for Post-COVID-19 Condition (NCT NCT05047952)

NCT ID: NCT05047952

Last Updated: 2025-01-16

Results Overview

This measures the least square mean change in baseline-to-end point on z-score on the combined DSST. Depicted is the least square (LS) mean \[standard error of mean (SEM)\] change in DSST z-scores from baseline to week 8 using an independent covariance matrix with time as a categorical variable, adjusted for the type of cognitive test (Pen/Paper versus Online CogState version). Larger least squares mean indicates a higher predicted or adjusted average outcome for that group or condition compared to others. In other words, if you have a higher least squares mean for a treatment group, it suggests that, after adjusting for the effects of other variables, that group tends to have a higher average outcome, indicating better performance. A least squares mean of 0 indicates that the groups has no difference in average outcome. There is no fixed maximum or minimum for LS Means. They are derived from the data and can, in principle, take any real value (positive, negative, or zero)

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

149 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Weeks 0-8

Results posted on

2025-01-16

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Vortioxetine
Participants aged 18-64 years: start at 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 20 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Participants aged 65+ years: start at 5 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Vortioxetine: Participants aged 18-64 years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 10 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 20 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 20 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician. Per product monograph, participants aged 65+ years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 5 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 10 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 10 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician.
Placebo
Placebo capsule taken once daily for weeks 0-8. Placebo: A placebo pill will be taken once daily.
Overall Study
STARTED
75
74
Overall Study
COMPLETED
68
73
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
7
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Vortioxetine for Post-COVID-19 Condition

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Vortioxetine
n=75 Participants
Participants aged 18-64 years: start at 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 20 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Participants aged 65+ years: start at 5 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Vortioxetine: Participants aged 18-64 years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 10 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 20 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 20 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician. Per product monograph, participants aged 65+ years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 5 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 10 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 10 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician.
Placebo
n=74 Participants
Placebo capsule taken once daily for weeks 0-8. Placebo: A placebo pill will be taken once daily.
Total
n=149 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
43.65 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.26 • n=5 Participants
44.94 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.03 • n=7 Participants
44.36 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.21 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
51 Participants
n=5 Participants
47 Participants
n=7 Participants
98 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
24 Participants
n=5 Participants
27 Participants
n=7 Participants
51 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Caucasian
58 participants
n=5 Participants
55 participants
n=7 Participants
113 participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Caucasian
17 participants
n=5 Participants
19 participants
n=7 Participants
36 participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Canada
75 participants
n=5 Participants
74 participants
n=7 Participants
149 participants
n=5 Participants
Confirmed COVID Diagnosis
59 participants
n=5 Participants
59 participants
n=7 Participants
118 participants
n=5 Participants
Lifetime Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosis
32 participants
n=5 Participants
25 participants
n=7 Participants
57 participants
n=5 Participants
Highest Education = Highschool
18 participants
n=5 Participants
14 participants
n=7 Participants
32 participants
n=5 Participants
Highest Education = College/University
47 participants
n=5 Participants
42 participants
n=7 Participants
89 participants
n=5 Participants
Highest Education - Graduate School
10 participants
n=5 Participants
18 participants
n=7 Participants
28 participants
n=5 Participants
Combined Digit Symbol Substitution Test
-0.02 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.91 • n=5 Participants
-0.21 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.96 • n=7 Participants
-0.07127 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.002 • n=5 Participants
Computurized Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST)
48.40 Total Number of Symbols
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.11 • n=5 Participants
46.35 Total Number of Symbols
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.75 • n=7 Participants
47.36 Total Number of Symbols
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.50 • n=5 Participants
Remote Participation in Trial, n (%)
38 participants
n=5 Participants
40 participants
n=7 Participants
78 participants
n=5 Participants
The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-report (QIDS-SR16)
10.03 Total Score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.33 • n=5 Participants
10.32 Total Score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.37 • n=7 Participants
10.18 Total Score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.33 • n=5 Participants
The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5)
9.808 Total Score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.579 • n=5 Participants
9.757 Total Score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.808 • n=7 Participants
9.808 Total Score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.245 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Weeks 0-8

This measures the least square mean change in baseline-to-end point on z-score on the combined DSST. Depicted is the least square (LS) mean \[standard error of mean (SEM)\] change in DSST z-scores from baseline to week 8 using an independent covariance matrix with time as a categorical variable, adjusted for the type of cognitive test (Pen/Paper versus Online CogState version). Larger least squares mean indicates a higher predicted or adjusted average outcome for that group or condition compared to others. In other words, if you have a higher least squares mean for a treatment group, it suggests that, after adjusting for the effects of other variables, that group tends to have a higher average outcome, indicating better performance. A least squares mean of 0 indicates that the groups has no difference in average outcome. There is no fixed maximum or minimum for LS Means. They are derived from the data and can, in principle, take any real value (positive, negative, or zero)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=74 Participants
Placebo capsule taken once daily for weeks 0-8. Placebo: A placebo pill will be taken once daily.
Vortioxetine
n=75 Participants
Participants aged 18-64 years: start at 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 20 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Participants aged 65+ years: start at 5 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Vortioxetine: Participants aged 18-64 years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 10 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 20 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 20 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician. Per product monograph, participants aged 65+ years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 5 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 10 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 10 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician.
Least Square Mean Change in Baseline to Week 8 on Z-score in Combined Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST)
0.184 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.0934
0.332 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.0752

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Weeks 0-8

This measures the least square mean change in baseline-to-end point on scores on the WHO-5. Depicted is the least square (LS) mean \[standard error of mean (SEM)\] change in WHO-5 from baseline to week 8. Larger least squares mean indicates a higher predicted or adjusted average outcome for that group or condition compared to others. In other words, if you have a higher least squares mean for a treatment group, it suggests that, after adjusting for the effects of other variables, that group tends to have a higher average outcome, indicating better performance. A least squares mean of 0 indicates that the groups has no difference in average outcome. There is no fixed maximum or minimum for LS Means. They are derived from the data and can, in principle, take any real value (positive, negative, or zero)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=73 Participants
Placebo capsule taken once daily for weeks 0-8. Placebo: A placebo pill will be taken once daily.
Vortioxetine
n=67 Participants
Participants aged 18-64 years: start at 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 20 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Participants aged 65+ years: start at 5 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Vortioxetine: Participants aged 18-64 years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 10 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 20 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 20 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician. Per product monograph, participants aged 65+ years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 5 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 10 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 10 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician.
Baseline to Endpoint Change in World Health Organization Wellbeing Scale, 5-item (WHO-5)
1.107 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.590
1.759 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.489

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 0-8

This measures the least square mean change in baseline-to-end point on the QIDS-SR-16. A negative least squares estimate for the QIDS-SR-16 score from baseline to week 8 indicates a reduction in depressive symptoms. Specifically, it implies that, on average, the QIDS-SR-16 scores have decreased over the 8-week period. Since lower QIDS-SR-16 scores correspond to less severe depressive symptoms, a negative change is a positive outcome, showing improvement. A least squares mean of 0 indicates that the groups has no difference in average outcome. There is no fixed maximum or minimum for LS Means. They are derived from the data and can, in principle, take any real value (positive, negative, or zero)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=73 Participants
Placebo capsule taken once daily for weeks 0-8. Placebo: A placebo pill will be taken once daily.
Vortioxetine
n=67 Participants
Participants aged 18-64 years: start at 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 20 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Participants aged 65+ years: start at 5 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Vortioxetine: Participants aged 18-64 years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 10 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 20 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 20 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician. Per product monograph, participants aged 65+ years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 5 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 10 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 10 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician.
Baseline-to-endpoint (i.e., Week 8) Change in the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology, Self Report (QIDS-SR-16)
-1.756 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.503
-3.351 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.524

Adverse Events

Vortioxetine

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 47 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 34 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Vortioxetine
n=75 participants at risk
Participants aged 18-64 years: start at 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 20 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Participants aged 65+ years: start at 5 mg vortioxetine once daily for the first 2 weeks, then dosed up to 10 mg vortioxetine once daily for weeks 2-8. Vortioxetine: Participants aged 18-64 years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 10 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 20 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 20 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician. Per product monograph, participants aged 65+ years receiving vortioxetine will be provided 5 mg/day on days 1-14 of the treatment period, and will be titrated to 10 mg/day at the start of week 3 (day 15) based on study clinician judgment. For the remaining 6 weeks, the dose of vortioxetine will be 10 mg/day, unless adjudicated otherwise by a study clinician.
Placebo
n=74 participants at risk
Placebo capsule taken once daily for weeks 0-8. Placebo: A placebo pill will be taken once daily.
Nervous system disorders
Fatigue
10.7%
8/75 • Number of events 8 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
10.8%
8/74 • Number of events 8 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
48.0%
36/75 • Number of events 36 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
25.7%
19/74 • Number of events 19 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
Nervous system disorders
Headache
8.0%
6/75 • Number of events 6 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
9.5%
7/74 • Number of events 7 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
2.7%
2/75 • Number of events 2 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
14.9%
11/74 • Number of events 11 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
9.3%
7/75 • Number of events 7 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
2.7%
2/74 • Number of events 2 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
Cardiac disorders
Dyspepsia
8.0%
6/75 • Number of events 6 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).
10.8%
8/74 • Number of events 8 • Adverse events will be collected from baseline (Week 1) to endpoint (Week 8).

Additional Information

Dr. Roger S. McIntyre

Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation

Phone: 416-669-5279

Results disclosure agreements

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