The WORKER Study: Escitalopram and Telephone-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Depressed Working People

Rationale CBT is recognized as an effective psychological treatment for MDD. However, there are still considerable barriers to access CBT. Newer methods of delivering CBT, such as over the telephone (Tel-CBT), allow for greater access and convenience, at potentially lower cost. This is especially relevant for working people because the service can be delivered during evenings and weekends, so they do not need to leave work to attend clinic appointments. Ease of access is also important for rural settings where distance to health facilities can be a barrier to care. The ease of delivery of Tel-CBT, both in setup and maintenance costs, may also make it an important component of enhanced support for primary care. Preliminary studies have shown that addition of Tel-CBT leads to better outcomes than usual care alone (Simon et al, 2004; Wang et al, 2007).

This study will investigate the added value of Tel-CBT as adjunctive treatment to an antidepressant (escitalopram) in working people with MDD versus treatment with escitalopram alone, focusing on work-related outcomes. Escitalopram offers advantages as a first-choice treatment for depressed working people, given its superior efficacy compared to other antidepressants, excellent tolerability and simplicity of use for family physicians. Observational studies have shown significant reductions in sick leave when depressed patients are treated with escitalopram (Winkler et al, 2007). Outcome will be rigorously evaluated by assessing absenteeism and work productivity, response and remission rates, and quality of life, after acute (3 month) treatment and longer-term (6 month) follow-up.

Research Method This is a 6-month, multi-centre, single-blind (rater), randomized, parallel-design study to assess the efficacy of escitalopram and Tel-CBT in the treatment of working subjects with MDD, compared to treatment with escitalopram alone. A total of 150 depressed patients meeting entry criteria will be enrolled over a 1 year period.

Eligible patients will be treated with escitalopram 10-20 mg/d for the entire treatment period (6 months). Patients will be randomized to addition of telephone-based CBT with 8 sessions conducted over a 3 month period, or to a (placebo) control condition of reminder telephone calls. Outcomes (HAM-D, MADRS) will be primarily assessed over the telephone by raters blind to treatment assignment. Other outcome measures will be assessed by patient-rated questionnaires administered over the internet using a secure web site, and by ratings from the treating physician (CGI and adverse events).

Statistical Analysis All randomized subjects who have at least one follow-up visit will be included in the analysis based on intent-to-treat. Ineligible subjects who are inappropriately randomized will be excluded from the analysis. Missing data will be imputed using last observation carried forward (LOCF). For the analyses the treatment variables will remain coded and the analysts and investigators will remain blinded to variable identity during analysis and interpretation.

The pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint is the adjusted mean change from baseline to endpoint (12 weeks) in the HAM-D score using LOCF. All comparisons will be analyzed using ANCOVA adjusting for baseline value and centre. The secondary outcomes will also be analyzed using a similar analysis, when appropriate. Post hoc analyses will also examine observed case data. Categorical data (such as proportions of the sample with adverse events) will be analyzed using chi-square tests or Fisher's test where cell sizes warrant.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female outpatients aged 18-65 years.
• Patients will meet DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder as determined by the mood disorders section of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI, Sheehan et al, 1998).
• Currently employed (or off work for 2 weeks or less, and expecting to return to work at the start of study).
• A score of 18 or greater on the self-rated version of the MADRS, indicating at least moderately severe depression.
• Competency to give informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients on short-term (except for circumstances under Inclusion Criteria) or long-term disability.
• Pregnant women, lactating women and sexually active women of childbearing potential who are not using medically accepted means of contraception.
• Serious suicidal risks as judged by the study doctor.
• The following DSM-IV diagnoses (to ensure a homogenous diagnostic group): Organic mental disorders; Substance abuse/dependence, including alcohol, active within the last year; Schizophrenia, Paranoid or Delusional Disorders; Other Psychotic disorders; Panic disorder; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if a primary diagnosis; Bipolar Disorder;Bulimia Nervosa; Anorexia Nervosa.
• Serious illness including cardiac, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrinologic, neurologic and hematologic disease that is not stabilized.
• Regular or current use of other psychotropic drugs.
• Use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 14 days of Visit 1, fluoxetine within 5 weeks of Visit 1, and other antidepressants within 7 days of Visit 1 (to ensure adequate drug washouts prior to starting escitalopram).
• Previous use of escitalopram.
• Treatment resistance in the current episode, as defined by failure (lack of clinically significant response) of two or more antidepressants given at therapeutic doses for at least 6 weeks.
• Patients who start formal psychotherapy (e.g. cognitive-behavioural or interpersonal psychotherapy) within 3 months of Visit 1, or who plan to initiate such psychotherapy during this study.
• Patients involved in any other form of treatment for depression.