Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India

Saili Dharadhar; Amit Sharma; Sagar Karia

doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

2026, Vol: 16, Issue: 1

16 / 1Current Issue Online First Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing Most Accessed Articles Most Downloaded Articles Most Cited Articles

Required files to be uploaded

NJPPP Manuscript Submission Form
Title Page

« Previous Article

Original Research
Online Published: 31 Jan 2022

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2022; 12(9): 1399-1407

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India

Saili Dharadhar, Amit Sharma, Sagar Karia.

Abstract
Background: Depression is common yet under-reported disorder in the real-world setting. Although antidepressants have demonstrated superiority over placebo in clinical trials, many patients elicit a suboptimal response or relapse. Moreover, real-world data in the Indian population are limited.

Aim and Objective: This study aims to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of escitalopram in patients with newly diagnosed depression (NDD) versus relapse in India.

Materials and Methods: This is an ongoing real-world observational study of escitalopram in patients with NDD or relapse in India. Primary endpoint was change in mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D 17) scores from baseline to week 8. Secondary endpoints included assessment of response/remission rates, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores, quality of life, suicidal tendency, and safety.

Results: Data for the first 50 patients demonstrated a significant reduction in HAM-D 17 scores at week 8 (P < 0.001); patients with NDD (n = 38) elicited significantly higher improvement compared with relapsed patients (n = 12) (P < 0.001). Although patients with NDD had significantly poorer CGI (P < 0.001) and quality of life (anxiety/depression subscale) (P < 0.05) scores at baseline, an improvement was observed in both scales with no significant difference between the groups at week 8. Suicidal tendency reduced from 83.3% to 0%. No new safety concerns were observed in the study.

Conclusion: Escitalopram demonstrated efficacy and was well tolerated in both, NDD and relapsed patients in the real-world setting in India, with better results achieved by NDD patients. However, more studies are required to confirm the difference across the groups.

Key words: Depression; India; Major Depressive Disorder; Observational Study; Real World; Relapse

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Saili Dharadhar Articles by Amit Sharma Articles by Sagar Karia
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Dharadhar S, Sharma A, Karia S. Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2022; 12(9): 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

Web Style

Dharadhar S, Sharma A, Karia S. Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=139532 [Access: June 22, 2026]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Dharadhar S, Sharma A, Karia S. Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2022; 12(9): 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Dharadhar S, Sharma A, Karia S. Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2022), [cited June 22, 2026]; 12(9): 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

Harvard Style

Dharadhar, S., Sharma, . A. & Karia, . S. (2022) Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 12 (9), 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

Turabian Style

Dharadhar, Saili, Amit Sharma, and Sagar Karia. 2022. Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 12 (9), 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

Chicago Style

Dharadhar, Saili, Amit Sharma, and Sagar Karia. "Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 12 (2022), 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Dharadhar, Saili, Amit Sharma, and Sagar Karia. "Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 12.9 (2022), 1399-1407. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Dharadhar, S., Sharma, . A. & Karia, . S. (2022) Real-world observational study of escitalopram for newly diagnosed versus relapsed patients with major depressive disorder in India. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 12 (9), 1399-1407. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.124668202119012022

About National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Contact Information

How to cite this article