A Study Evaluating Duloxetine in Patients Hospitalized for Severe Depression

Measures the overall severity of depressive symptoms. The MADRS has a 10-item checklist. Items are rated on a scale of 0-6, for a total score range of 0 (low severity of depressive symptoms) to 60 (high severity of depressive symptoms).

The HAMD-6 (Items 1,2,7,8,10,13 from the 17-item HAMD) evaluates "core" symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Total scores range from 0 (normal) to 22 (severe).

Measures the overall severity of depressive symptoms. The MADRS has a 10-item checklist. Items are rated on a scale of 0-6, for a total score range of 0 (low severity of depressive symptoms) to 60 (high severity of depressive symptoms).

Changes in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and 6-Item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-6) total scores were evaluated following dose up-titration in those patients who did not achieve the minimum 50% response for primary endpoint. MADRS is a rating scale for severity of depressive mood symptoms. Total scores range from 0 (low severity of symptoms) to 60 (high severity of symptoms). The HAMD-6, derived by the sum of HAMD-17 items 1, 2, 7, 8, 10 and 13, evaluates "core" symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Total subscale scores range from 0 (normal) to 22 (severe).

Measures severity of illness at the time of assessment compared with start of treatment. Scores range from 1 (normal, not at all ill) to 7 (among the most extremely ill patients).

Measures clinician's perception of patient improvement at the time of assessment compared with the start of treatment. Scores range from 1 (very much better) to 7 (very much worse).

A scale that measures the patient's perception of improvement at the time of assessment compared with the start of treatment. The score ranges from 1 (very much better) to 7 (very much worse).

The HAMA scale measures anxiety symptoms accompanying Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Each item of the 14-item HAMA was scored from 0 (not present) to 4 (very severe), with a resulting maximum total score of 56.

Patients with reduction in MADRS score ≥50% after 4 weeks were to stay on previous dose of duloxetine. Those with reduction in MADRS <50% were to receive 120 mg for remaining 4 weeks of treatment (up-titration from 60 mg to 120 mg for those randomized to 60 mg, and addition of placebo to 120 mg dose for those randomized to 120 mg). However, 2/70 patients randomized to 60 mg and then up-titrated to 120 mg after 4 weeks had reduction in MADRS ≥50% after 4 weeks, and 3/64 patients randomized to 120 mg and then given placebo in addition after 4 weeks had reduction in MADRS ≥50% after 4 weeks.

Major Depressive Disorder remission was defined as a total MADRS score ≤12 at Week 8.

The RFL questionnaire is an instrument that evaluates patient's reasons for not committing suicide using a 6-point rating scale, where 1 is "not at all important" and 6 is "extremely important". The questionnaire required participants to rate how important each item would be for living, if suicide was contemplated. Mean scores could range from 0 to 6.

Number of participants using medication for anxiety and sleep disturbances.

Laboratory results that were potentially clinically significant.

Listing of adverse events (AE) that led to treatment discontinuation (DC).

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were measured after 2 minutes rest in a supine position. High values were: diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg and increase from baseline of ≥10 mm Hg; systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and increase from baseline of ≥10 mm Hg; pulse rate ≥100 beats per minute (bpm) and an increase of ≥10 bpm from baseline.

Change in weight = Post-baseline visit minus baseline.