| Objective: To compare the clinical effect and safety of Venlafaxine and Escitalopram inthe treatment of somatoform disorders.Methods: A total of100outpatients with somatoform disorders according to Diagnosticand Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) were enrolled. Theywere randomly divided into the following two groups according to treatment program: theVenlafaxine group (n=50) and Escitalopram group (n=50) The patients in the Venlafaxinegroup received75mg of venlafaxine once a day for the first seven days and thereafteronly150mg once a day. The patients in the Escitalopram group received10mg ofescitalopram once a day for the first seven days and thereafter only15mg once a day, thecourse of treatment was8weeks.The treatment efficacy and drug side-effects were assessedafter treatment at the time of second, fourth, eighth weekends.The Hamilton depressionscale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and side effects symptoms scale (TESS)were used to assess the efficacy and side-effects.Result:The Venlafaxine and Escitalopram therapy has efficacy in treatment of somatoformdisorders.In addition,the HAMD and HAMA scores before and after treatment weresignificantly different (P<0.01) within each group. But the HAMD scores reduction rates ofthe patients in the escitslopram group was observed to be lightly higher compared with thatof the patients in the venlafaxine group at the end of week2(P<0.05).However,a significantdifference(P<0.01) in the HAMD score reduction rates of the two groups was observed atthe end of weeks4and8(venlafaxine group much higher than escitaloprom group). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was35.42%in the venlafaxine group and12%in theescitalopram group, which showed statistical difference between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion: Venlafaxine is more effective than Escitalopram in treating patients withsomatoform disorders, but Escitalopram has quick effect, less adverse reactions, there aregood tolerance and compliance. |
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