COVINGTON, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An examination of the latest genetic and physiologic biomarker research and its application in viable therapeutic options for patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was the focus of a breakthrough poster presentation which debuted at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) annual conference, IMPACT 2013. The poster and complete study findings were presented by Ian V. Mackey, M.S., P.A.-C, Physician Assistant, Rush University Medical Center.
Building on data that shows obesity and inflammation predict poorer response to antidepressant therapy, the poster shed light on the link between biomarkers associated with conditions of inflammation, oxidative stress, and obesity and a patient’s potential response to treatment with adjunctive L-methylfolate. The presentation was aimed at helping inform and educate physician assistants (PA), who are often the first line of defense for patients presenting with MDD and critical to the proper treatment of the condition. The poster findings also come on the heels of a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry which demonstrated twice as many patients responded when given adjunctive L-methylfolate 15mg compared to adjunctive placebo (continuation of SSRI monotherapy). In terms of tolerability, discontinuations due to adverse events were no different than placebo when adding L-methylfolate to SSRI treatment in patients with MDD.
“It’s vital that we make it a practice to assess the patient as a whole as opposed to assessing just their symptoms of MDD,” said Ian Mackey, M.S., P.A.-C. “As these findings indicate, other medical problems, concomitant medications and inflammation are becoming increasingly important in choosing the correct interventions for patients with MDD.”
Taking into account MDD can include metabolic components associated with poor Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) response, the poster presentation, Effect of L-methylfolate on Inflammatory Markers a Randomized Clinical Trial of Patients with Major Depression, analyzed 75 outpatients inadequately responding to an SSRI who were enrolled in a 60-day study, divided into two, 30-day evaluation periods according to Sequential Parallel Comparison Design (SPCD). Patients were randomized to receive L-methylfolate 15mg + SSRI for 60 days; placebo + SSRI for 30 days followed by L-methylfolate 15mg + SSRI for 30 days; or placebo + SSRI for 60 days. The SSRI doses remained constant during the study. Pooled 30-day results demonstrated significantly greater benefits in all-comers with adjunctive L-methylfolate 15mg + SSRI compared to placebo + SSRI (continued SSRI monotherapy). The magnitude of difference between response to adjunctive L-methylfolate and adjunctive placebo was 17.7% (p=0.04). Pooled differences in mean change on HDRS-17 and HDRS-28 were significantly greater (p=0.05 and p=0.02 respectively) with L-methylfolate superior to placebo.
Results also show that patients with SSRI-resistant MDD stratified by biomarkers of inflammation (hsCRP), oxidative stress (4-HNE) and methylation (SAM/SAH ratio) responded better to adjunctive L-methylfolate 15mg compared to adjunctive placebo. In an analysis of a priori endpoints, patients with baseline levels of hsCRP at or above the median (p=0.05) and 4-HNE (p=0.003) at or above the median and SAM/SAH ratio below the median (p=0.005) experienced a significantly greater treatment effect in favor of adjunctive L-methylfolate. In an exploratory analysis, patients with obesity defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2 demonstrated a significantly greater treatment effect with adjunctive L-methylfolate versus adjunctive placebo (p=0.001).
The AAPA’s annual conference is focused on identifying and discussing innovative solutions that empower PAs at all stages of their careers to improve patient health. IMPACT 2013 remains the largest PA-focused Continuing Medical Education (CME) event in the world, with approximately 6,000 PAs and students in attendance. IMPACT 2013 took place May 25-29 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
About the American Academy of Physician Assistants
Founded in 1968, the American Academy of Physician Assistants is the national professional society for physician assistants. It represents a profession of over 90,000 certified PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories, and within the uniformed services.
About Pamlab
Pamlab is a specialty biomedical company that specializes in offering health care providers high quality prescription medical foods to safely address the distinct nutritional requirements of patients suffering from a medical condition.
