Escitalopram and sertraline in treatment of depression with anxiety

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of escitalopram and sertraline in the treatment of depression with anxiety.Method:76 of patients with depression with anxiety were randomly assigned to receive escitalopram(n=38) or sertraline(n=38) for up to 6 weeks in this randomized,parallel-group study.The rapeutic efficacy was assessed with Hamilton depression scale(HAMD-17) and Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA).Safety profile was assessed with treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS).Results:The mean values of HAMD-17 and HAMA total scores improved significantly for both groups from the baseline to the end of week 6th(P0.01).At the end of the first week,the total scores of HAMD and HAMA in the group of escitalopram were significant lower than that of group of sertraline(t=-2.839,-2.862;P0.01),but there were no statistically significant differences between two groups at the end of week 2,4 and 6th(P0.05).The incidences of side effects were 39.5% in escitalopram group and 42.1% in sertraline group(P0.05).Conclusion:The therapeutic effect and side effect on depression with anxiety are not different between escitalopram and sertraline.Escitalopram has earlier response than sertraline.