Efficacy of agomelatin in the treatment of anhedonia in patients with depressive disorders

Zeng Jun; Qin Chunli; Han Shuhong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-6574.2019.06.011

Abstract：Objective? To evaluate the effectiveness of agomelatine in the treatment of anhedonia in patients with depressive disorders. Methods? A total of 58 subjects were included in the study. All patients were treated with agomelatin (25-50 mg/d, variable doses) for 8 weeks. Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and Montgomery-?sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were used to evaluate patients' depression and anhedonia, and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and the 5-Item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) were used to evaluate patients' functional impairment and quality of life. Results?(1)After 8 weeks of treatment with agomelatin, the clinical response and remission rates of SHAPS were 64.71%(33/51) and 58.82% (30/51). The SHAPS and MADRS anhedonia factors after the treatment were significantly improved compared to baseline (P＜ 0.01). (2)Regression analysis showed that gender, first-episode age and family history of mental illness affected the improvement of anhedonia. (3)At the end of 8 weeks of treatment, the improvement of SHAPS and MADRS anhedonia factor was significantly correlated with the improvement of WHO-5 and SDS scores (P＜0.01). (4)Mediational effect analysis showed that the improvement in anhedonia mediated the relationship between depressive severity and the improvement of social functions. Conclusions? Agomelatin has a significant effect on anhedonia in patients with depressive disorder, and the improvement of anhedonia is a powerful mediator for the relationship between depressive symptoms and the improvement of social functions.