SUICIDAL IDEATION IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS AND THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF VORTIOXETINE: SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF A LARGE PROSPECTIVE STUDY

OBJECTIVES To explore the association of different variables with suicidal ideation and the role of vortioxetine in managing suicidal ideation in depressed patients in Pakistan. STUDY DESIGN This is a secondary analysis of a large, multi-centre, non-interventional, prospective longitudinal study with patients who were prescribed Vortioxetine. PLACE AND DURATION OF THE STUDY The main study was conducted in 16 psychiatry outpatient clinics in 8 cities across Pakistan. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 498 depressed patients aged 18- 65 years participated in the study. Suicidal ideation was measured using item # 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Participants were assessed at baseline, 1 week, 1-month and 3-month after treatment initiation. RESULTS: There was statistically significant reduction in reporting of suicidal ideation from 80% at baseline to 13% at outcome assessment. There was significant positive correlation between suicidal ideation and cognitive dysfunction on Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) and suicidal ideation and depression scores on PHQ-9. There was a statistically significant difference between those who reported suicidal ideation and those who did not report suicidal ideation on the CGI-severity scale both at baseline and at 3-month outcome assessment. CONCLUSION Suicidal ideation is common in depressed patients and this study demonstrated that suicidal ideation was reduced significantly with Vortioxetine treatment. KEY WORDS Suicidal ideations, Vortioxetine, Depression.