Control study of venlafaxine and fluoxetine in the treatment of major depression patients with somatic symptoms

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effect between venlafaxine and fluoxetine in the treatment of major depression with somatic symptoms. Method:77 patients were randomly divideded into venlafaxine group and fluoxetine group for 6 weeks. The efficacy and side effects were evaluated with Hamilton depression rating scale( HAMD) and the treatment emergent symptom scale( TESS) before and after the treatment. Results:The rate of efficiency and clinical recovery were 89. 74% and 66. 67% in venlafaxine group,which were significantly higher than those( 60. 5% and 39. 5% ) in fluoxetine group after 6 weeks. The scores of HAMD reduced significantly after treatment in each group( P 0. 01). Anxiety/somatization factor scores in venlafaxine group was significantly lower than that in fluoxetine group( P 0. 05). Conclusion:Venlafaxine was superior to fluoxetine in treating somatic symptoms.