Poster
6
(#6) Assessment of Anxiety Severity Among Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder on Venlafaxine: A Retrospective, Observational, Real-World Study
Psych Congress 2025
Abstract: BACKGROUND
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects approximately 3.1% of the global adult population and is characterized by a recurrent and chronic course. It occurs more commonly in females. Without adequate treatment, GAD can lead to increased risks of mortality and morbidity, a lower quality of life, and difficulties with emotional well-being and social functioning. Clinical practice guidelines recommend venlafaxine as a first-line agent to treat GAD. The efficacy of venlafaxine in GAD has been demonstrated in clinical trials but real-world evidence is limited. This study aims to demonstrate a similar utility for venlafaxine in patients with GAD seen in routine clinical practice with that in clinical trials.
METHOD
This is a retrospective, observational, real-world study assessing the clinical course of patients with GAD, with or without comorbid depressive and other anxiety disorders, treated with venlafaxine (N=727, female=567). GAD-7 scores recorded in Holmusk's NeuroBlu database, collated from multiple mental health centers were utilized in the evaluation of all patients, and patients with moderate to severe GAD (GAD-7≥10, N=580, female=455). Change in GAD-7 score from baseline to any timepoint during the assessment window, defined as 4-12 weeks from the initiation of venlafaxine, were analyzed. Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a GAD-7 score reduction of ≥4 points.
RESULT
The change from baseline in GAD-7 score was statistically significant in all patients, including those with moderate or severe GAD, and with similar results in males and females. 72.4% of patients showed improvement in GAD-7 scores, with 48.49% of patients showing clinically meaningful improvement.
Short Description: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) confers significant burden on those affected. Practice guidelines recommend venlafaxine as a first-line treatment. While Its efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical trials, real-world evidence is limited. This retrospective observational study using Holmusk's NeuroBlu database of electronic medical records of patients with GAD, utilized GAD-7 scores to assess and demonstrate with statistical significance, that venlafaxine is an effective treatment in the management of GAD in real-world clinical practice.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Viatris
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects approximately 3.1% of the global adult population and is characterized by a recurrent and chronic course. It occurs more commonly in females. Without adequate treatment, GAD can lead to increased risks of mortality and morbidity, a lower quality of life, and difficulties with emotional well-being and social functioning. Clinical practice guidelines recommend venlafaxine as a first-line agent to treat GAD. The efficacy of venlafaxine in GAD has been demonstrated in clinical trials but real-world evidence is limited. This study aims to demonstrate a similar utility for venlafaxine in patients with GAD seen in routine clinical practice with that in clinical trials.
METHOD
This is a retrospective, observational, real-world study assessing the clinical course of patients with GAD, with or without comorbid depressive and other anxiety disorders, treated with venlafaxine (N=727, female=567). GAD-7 scores recorded in Holmusk's NeuroBlu database, collated from multiple mental health centers were utilized in the evaluation of all patients, and patients with moderate to severe GAD (GAD-7≥10, N=580, female=455). Change in GAD-7 score from baseline to any timepoint during the assessment window, defined as 4-12 weeks from the initiation of venlafaxine, were analyzed. Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a GAD-7 score reduction of ≥4 points.
RESULT
The change from baseline in GAD-7 score was statistically significant in all patients, including those with moderate or severe GAD, and with similar results in males and females. 72.4% of patients showed improvement in GAD-7 scores, with 48.49% of patients showing clinically meaningful improvement.
Short Description: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) confers significant burden on those affected. Practice guidelines recommend venlafaxine as a first-line treatment. While Its efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical trials, real-world evidence is limited. This retrospective observational study using Holmusk's NeuroBlu database of electronic medical records of patients with GAD, utilized GAD-7 scores to assess and demonstrate with statistical significance, that venlafaxine is an effective treatment in the management of GAD in real-world clinical practice.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Viatris
