Vortioxetine for the treatment of post-COVID-19 condition: a randomized controlled trial

AbstractHitherto no therapeutic has received regulatory approval for the treatment of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). Cognitive deficits, mood symptoms and significant reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are highly replicated and debilitating aspects of PCC. We sought to determine the impact of vortioxetine on the foregoing symptoms and HRQoL in persons living with PCC.An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of adults ≥ 18 years of age residing in Canada and who are experiencing symptoms of World Health Organization (WHO)-defined PCC, with a history of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, was conducted. Recruitment began November 2021 and ended January 2023. Of the 200 participants enrolled (487 invited: 121 ineligi ble and 59 eligible but declined participation; 307 cleared pre-screening stage), a total of 149 participants were randomized (1:1) to receive either vortioxetine (5–20 mg,n = 75) or placebo (n = 74) daily for 8 weeks of double-blind treatment (i.e. end point). The primary outcome was the change from baseline-to-end point in the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Secondary outcomes included the effect on depressive symptoms and HRQoL, as measured by changes from baseline-to-end point on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology 16-item and WHO Wellbeing Scale 5-item, respectively.A total of 68 (90.7%) participants randomized to vortioxetine and 73 (98.6%) participants randomized to placebo completed all 8 weeks. Between-gro...
Source: Brain - Category: Neurology Source Type: research