A Randomized Controlled Study of Efficacy and Cognitive Function Improvement of Vortioxetine and Escitalopram in Patients with Depression in Chinese Han Nationality

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Vortioxetine and Escitalopram in improving cognition in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: At baseline, 131 MDD patients and 70 healthy controls completed the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Patients with MDD were randomly divided into Vortioxetine (n = 62) and Escitalopram (n = 69) groups with an 8-week follow-up research. ANOVA for repeated measurement was utilized to compare the efficacy of Vortioxetine and Escitalopram. Results: The total scores of HAMD-17, HAMA and SHAPS scales had statistical difference between MDD cases and healthy controls (P < 0.001) at baseline. After 8 weeks of treatment, the scale scores of the HAMD-17, HAMA and SHAPS had lowered in both groups, with no statistical difference between two groups (P > 0.05). At baseline, MDD patients had defects in Speed of Processing, Attention Vigilance, Verbal Learning, Visual Learning, Reasoning and Problem Solving, and Social Cognition, compared with healthy controls. After 8 weeks of treatment with Vortioxetine or Escitalopram, the patients had improved in the aspects of cognitive functions above except Social Cognition. Numerical improvements of MCCB scale were found in the two groups, P > 0.05. Most adverse events were mild or moderate, with nausea being the most common adverse event. Conclusion: Both Vortioxetine and Escitalopram can improve the mental status and cognitive functions in MDD patients, with mild or moderate adverse events.