Depression is common among elderly with an estimated prevalence of 5%. Due to ageing the national burden will double in the coming decade. Antidepressants as TCAs and SSRIs are effective in reducing symptoms, especially in people with severe depression. To optimize treatment efficacy and reduce side effects, the Pharmacogenetics Working Group of the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association developed guidelines for dose-adaptation, for instance for antidepressants such as nortriptyline and venlafaxine based on their main relevant genotype (CYP2D6) accompanied by Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. Such personalized drug dosing based on pharmacogenetic information at the start of therapy can speed up the titration phase of antidepressants to establish an adequate maintenance dose. However, pharmacogenetic screening programs are expensive and evidence on effects and costs of such a program among elderly antidepressant starters from randomized controlled studies is lacking. The investigators will conduct a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to determine the effects and costs of pharmacogenetic screening information to optimize drug dosing in depressed elderly patients who start with nortriptyline or venlafaxine. Objective: The primary objective is to determine the effects of pharmacogenetic screening for CYP2D6 on the time to reach adequate blood levels as an accepted proxy for adequate treatment. Secondary objectives include adverse drug reactions and cost-effectiveness Study design: pragmatic randomized controlled intervention study
This study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial in which psychiatric elderly care centers participate in the Netherlands. Deviating genotypes are expected to be found in \~30% of the population, therefore the study consist out of two parts. First a basic study in which \~750 patients, starting with nortriptyline or venlafaxine will be genotyped to identify patients with deviating genotypes (Poor, Intermediate or Ultrarapid Metabolizers). Second in the main study 150 patients with a deviating genotype are randomly allocated to two study arms one with and one without information on the genotype. From the extensive metabolizers('normal'genotype) 75 patients are allocated to a third arm as an external control.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
202
Dosing advices for deviating genotypes (Poor Metabolizer, Intermediate Metabolizer, Ultrarapid Metabolizer)based on the guidelines of the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP).
GGZ WNB
Halsteren, North Brabant, Netherlands
Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis
's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Reinier van Arkel groep
's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
GGz inGeest
Amsterdam, Netherlands
GGZ Centraal
Ermelo, Netherlands
Lentis
Groningen, Netherlands
University Medical Centre Groningen
Groningen, Netherlands
GGZ-NHN
Heiloo, Netherlands
GGZ Friesland
Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Parnassia
The Hague, Netherlands
...and 1 more locations
Serum drug levels of nortriptyline or venlafaxine
Serum drug levels will be assessed by 'dried blood spot' analysis, blood will be obtained by a fingerprick. Adequate serum drug levels is defined as: serum drug levels within the therapeutic window (for nortriptyline 50-150 µg/L, for venlafaxine 200-400 µg/L in combination with stable drug dosing for at least 3 weeks.
Time frame: After 2, 4 and 6 weeks treatment started, after the 6th week sampling continues every 2 weeks untill adequate serum drug level is reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
Adverse drug events Questionnaire
Adverse drug events will be assessed by a self-reported questionnaire (ASEC). Two different questionnaires will be used, one for the side-effects of venlafaxine and another one for nortriptyline. Both are based one the ASEC questionnaire.
Time frame: At start of treatment and from that moment on, every 2 weeks untill adequate drug serum levels are reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
Quality of life questionnaire
Quality of life will be assessed by the EQ5D questionnaire. This information will also be used for a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Time frame: After 2, 4 and 6 weeks treatment started and if adequate serum drug levels are not reached in 6 weeks, every 2 weeks, untill adequate serum drug levels are reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
Productivity Questionnaire
Effects on productivity by means of the Short Form-Health and Labour Questionnaire, part Labour. This information will also be used for a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Time frame: After 2, 4 and 6 weeks treatment started and if adequate serum drug levels are not reached in 6 weeks, every 2 weeks, untill adequate serum drug levels are reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
Self reported Severity of depression Questionnaire
Severity of depression by means of the QIDS-SR.
Time frame: After 2, 4 and 6 weeks treatment started and if adequate serum drug levels are not reached in 6 weeks, every 2 weeks, untill adequate serum drug levels are reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
Drug use
Drug use, including exact dosing and duration of prescription will be assessed by self reported drug use by the patient. This information will also be used for a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Time frame: At inclusion, after 2, 4 and 6 weeks after inclusion and if adequate serum drug levels are not reached in 6 weeks, every 2 weeks, untill adequate serum drug level is reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
Data on health care associated resource use
Data on health care associated resource use (e.g. visits to the specific specialists including diagnoses; drug use including exact dosing and durations of prescriptions; hospitalizations, inclusive exact intensities of care; and lab values if relevant). This information will also be used for a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Time frame: After 2, 4 and 6 weeks treatment started and if adequate serum drug levels are not reached in 6 weeks, every 2 weeks, untill adequate serum drug levels are reached with an expected average of 8 weeks
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