Agomelatine's positive impact: Russian clinical practice reveals hope for post-COVID depression

In a recent study-TELESPHOR, Vladimir E. Medvedev and researchers aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of Agomelatine for major depressive episodes (MDE) following coronavirus disease 2019 infection. 

Affecting a significant portion of patients, depression and anxiety are prevalent symptoms post-COVID-19. The study, conducted in multiple clinical centres across Russia, included outpatients in the age groups of 18 to 65 years who experienced an MDE within 3 months of lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and had initiated Agomelatine treatment.

Throughout the study's duration, which included visits at weeks 2, 4, and 8, the primary focus was on assessing the antidepressant effectiveness of Agomelatine, as measured by changes in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) total score. Secondary outcome measures encompassed alterations in HAMD-17 items 10 and 11, gauging psychic and somatic anxiety, respectively; the percentage of individuals showing a substantial response (≥50% reduction from baseline HAMD-17) and those achieving remission (HAMD-17 score ≤7 by week 8). The overall severity of the patients' conditions and their quality of life were assessed using the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement of Illness Scale (CGI-I) and Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire.

Results from the study, involving 103 patients predominantly comprising women, indicated significant improvements in depression severity, as evidenced by reductions in HAMD-17 scores at all-time points. Notably, there were also significant decreases in anxiety symptoms and notable enhancements in the mental and physical aspects of QoL. Impressively, a high proportion of patients responded positively to Agomelatine treatment, with notable tolerability, concluded the study researchers.