Synergistic effect of paliperidone on venlafaxine in treatment of somatoform disorders

Objective To explore the synergistic effect and safety of small dosage paliperidone on venlafaxine in the treatment of somatoform disorders.Methods A total of 58 patients aged from 23 to 56 according with somatoform disorders diagnostic criteria of CCMD-3 were randomly divided into control group(29 cases) and study group(29 cases) treated with venlafaxine monotherapy and venlafaxine plus small dosage paliperidone respectively for 8 weeks.All patients were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale(TESS) to evaluate the efficacy and side effects at the baseline and 2nd,4th,8th weekend of the treatment.Results Score of HAMD and factor score of depression in SCL-90 in study group were significantly lower than those in control group from the 2nd weekend of the treatment(P0.05).Score of HAMA and factor scores of somatization and anxiety in SCL-90 in study group were significantly lower than those in control group from the 4th weekend of the treatment(P0.05).There was no significant difference in score of TESS at each interview point between the two groups(P0.05).The effective power at the end of the treatment in study group was significantly higher than that in control group(82.8% vs.65.5%,P0.05).Conclusion Small dosage paliperidone has good safety and obvious synergic effect on venlafaxine in the treatment of somatoform disorders.The combination therapy takes effect more quickly in reducing depressive symptoms.