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07-02-2024 | COVID-19

Impact of vortioxetine on psychosocial functioning moderated by symptoms of fatigue in post-COVID-19 condition: a secondary analysis

Authors: Sebastian Badulescu, Gia Han Le, Sabrina Wong, Angela T. H. Kwan, Ziji Guo, Kayla M. Teopiz, Lee Phan, Mehala Subramaniapillai, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Rodrigo B. Mansur, Roger S. McIntyre

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Fatigue is a prominent symptom in post-COVID condition (PCC) sequelae, termed “long COVID.” Herein, we aim to ascertain the effect of fatigue on psychosocial function in persons living with PCC.

Methods

This post hoc analysis evaluated the effects of vortioxetine on measures of fatigue as assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in psychosocial function as measured by the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) in persons with PCC. We also evaluated the change in FSS on psychosocial functioning as measured by the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). This post hoc analysis obtained data from a recently published placebo-controlled study evaluating vortioxetine’s effect on objective cognitive functions in persons living with PCC.

Results

One hundred forty-four participants meeting World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for PCC were included in this analysis. At the end of 8 weeks of vortioxetine treatment, significant improvement of all domains was observed for psychosocial functioning. There was a significant between-group difference at treatment endpoint in the family, social, and work SDS subcategories (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant interaction effect between the treatment condition time point and FSS effect on the SDS social (χ² = 10.640, p = 0.014) and work (χ² = 9.342, p = 0.025) categories but a statistically insignificant effect on the family categories ((χ² = 5.201, p = 0.158)).

Discussion

This post hoc analysis suggests that vortioxetine treatment significantly improves psychosocial function in persons with PCC. Our results also indicate that the improvement in psychosocial function was significantly mediated by improvement in measures of fatigue. Our results provide empirical support for recommendations to identify therapeutics for fatigue in persons living with PCC with a broader aim to improve psychosocial function in this common and severely impaired population.

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Title: Impact of vortioxetine on psychosocial functioning moderated by symptoms of fatigue in post-COVID-19 condition: a secondary analysis
Authors: Sebastian Badulescu
Gia Han Le
Sabrina Wong
Angela T. H. Kwan
Ziji Guo
Kayla M. Teopiz
Lee Phan
Mehala Subramaniapillai
Joshua D. Rosenblat
Rodrigo B. Mansur
Roger S. McIntyre
Publication date: 07-02-2024
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-024-07377-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Impact of vortioxetine on psychosocial functioning moderated by symptoms of fatigue in post-COVID-19 condition: a secondary analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

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