Abstract
Objective: Depression is one of the most common mood disorders. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) usually present alterations in various cognitive functions. Several cost-effective interventions have shown favorable recovery and positive outcomes in the care and management of depression. The objective of the study was to compare the effect of fluoxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and venlafaxine (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) on cognitive functioning in patients with MDD.
 Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, randomized, and comparative interventional clinical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Haryana. Fifty-two patients of MDD (ICD-10) were randomly divided into two groups: Group F and Group V, allocated to receive fluoxetine and venlafaxine, respectively. The assessment was done during the enrolment and at the end of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks of treatment using the ABC-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale.
 Statistical Analysis Used: The intragroup analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA while intergroup analysis was performed using unpaired “t”-test. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 Results: Mean HAM-D score was clinically as well as statistically significant at the end of the 12th week of treatment as compared to baseline in both the groups while on the intergroup comparison, there was no statistically significant difference in both groups. The mean MoCA score was (25±2.19) in Group F and (23.76±6.97) in Group V at the end of the 12th week. On intergroup analysis at the 12th week, a statistically significant improvement in cognitive functions was observed in patients Group F as compared to Group V (p<0.05).
 Conclusions: The study of fluoxetine comparatively better improves cognition functions as compared to venlafaxine.
Highlights
In 2015, an estimated 322 million people were affected by depression
The assessment was done during the enrolment and at the end of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks of treatment using the ABCHamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale
On intergroup analysis at the 12th week, a statistically significant improvement in cognitive functions was observed in patients Group F as compared to Group V (p
Summary
In 2015, an estimated 322 million people were affected by depression. India is home to an estimated 57 million people (18% of the global estimate) affected by depression [1]. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) usually present with alterations in various cognitive functions [2,3]. It often results in impaired functioning, which has an impact on all aspects of an individual’s life and family [4]. The treatment options include non-pharmacological therapies and pharmacological therapies [5]. The best results are seen with non-pharmacological therapies in conjunction with pharmacological therapy
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