Early-Onset Effectiveness of Adjunctive Aripiprazole in Patients With Depression With Inadequate Response to First-Line Antidepressants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the early effectiveness of adjunctive aripiprazole treatment on the clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with major depressive disorder. In this 8-week study, subjects were randomly assigned to the early treatment group ( n = 26) or the delayed treatment group ( n = 20), which started adjunctive aripiprazole treatment from the first and third weeks of the study, respectively. Clinical symptoms and quality of life were evaluated using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version. The mean MADRS score and three MADRS items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, and reduced appetite) were significantly improved in the early treatment group than in the delayed treatment group only at week 2. In the total treatment group, depression significantly improved from week 2. The quality of life related to psychological health, physical health, and environment was significantly improved at week 4. Adjunctive aripiprazole treatment did not increase the severity of adverse events. Our results suggest the early effects of adjunctive aripiprazole treatment on depression and quality of life, especially for core mood symptoms and appetite. Hence, adjunctive aripiprazole treatment may be a clinically meaningful therapeutic alternative for patients with depression. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2022;52(12):518–526.]