Comparison of the effects of sertraline and agomelatine on sleep quality, sexual functioning and metabolic parameters in patients with major depressive disorder

Anıl Talas,Esma Akpınar Aslan,Cem Cerit

doi:10.1080/24750573.2018.1490096

Abstract

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: This research aims to compare the effects of sertraline and agomelatine on outpatients diagnosed with a “major depressive episode” in terms of sleep quality, sexual functioning, and metabolic parameters related to metabolic syndrome.METHODS: This observational, open-labelled, 12-week follow-up study was carried out in the outpatient psychiatry clinic of a state research hospital. Included in the study were 60 outpatients admitted to the adult psychiatry clinic diagnosed with a “major depressive episode” who were subsequently prescribed agomelatine (25 mg/day) or sertraline (50 mg/day). Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were performed during the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th weeks of treatment. The metabolic parameters; Body Mass Index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes (Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and lipid profiles – total cholesterol and total trigly...

Highlights

Agomelatine is a new antidepressant with a unique mechanism of action, and there have been several studies suggesting its efficacy and safety in the treatment of MDD [1,2,3]
This study aims to compare the effects of sertraline and agomelatine on sleep quality, sexual function and such metabolic parameters as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), liver enzymes and lipid profile
A comparison of the demographic and clinical data of the patients using sertraline or agomelatine is presented in Table 1, from which it can be seen that no difference exists between the two groups in terms of age, sex, marital status, education level, occupation, and the number of past depressive episodes

Summary

Introduction

Agomelatine is a new antidepressant with a unique mechanism of action, and there have been several studies suggesting its efficacy and safety in the treatment of MDD [1,2,3]. Comparative studies of agomelatine with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin– noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have demonstrated that agomelatine has a favourable tolerability profile [4,5,6]. Discontinuations due to adverse effects have been found to be fewer in patients using agomelatine when compared to SSRI or SNRIs [7,8]. The favourable effects of agomelatine on sleep parameters have been reported in a number of previous studies. Corruble et al [1] found that agomelatine may bring additional long-term clinical benefits related to sleep-wake quality over escitalopram in depressive patients. In a study conducted by Quera-Salva et al [9], agomelatine was found to better preserve the number of sleep cycles, improve the morning condition and reduce daytime sleepiness when compared to escitalopram

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion