Efficacy, acceptability, and related outcomes of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar depression: A systematic review and dose-related network meta-analysis across different age groups.
Michele Fornaro, Chiara Di Lorenzo, Vincenzo Oliva et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological treatments for acute bipolar depression across various age groups. Analyzing 103 randomized controlled trials with 20,941 participants, the study found that lamotrigine 50 mg/day and quetiapine extended-release 150 mg/day significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to placebo, with a change of -1.53 for lamotrigine.
Key findings
- Lamotrigine 50 mg/day showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms with a change of -1.53 (95% C.I. = -2.13; -0.93).
- Quetiapine extended-release 150 mg/day also outperformed placebo for depressive symptoms.
- No treatment was superior to placebo for response, remission, acceptability, or tolerability.
- Several additional drugs were identified as potentially efficacious but were considered outliers.
Why it matters
Understanding the comparative efficacy of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar depression is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. This analysis provides insights into which medications may be more effective in reducing depressive symptoms, aiding clinicians in making informed decisions.