Efficacy and Safety of Quetiapine Versus Quetiapine Plus Lithium in Bipolar Depression

Response rate defined as the percentage of patients with a ≥50% reduction from baseline in the MADRS total score to the final assessment at week 8.

The MADRS is a 10-item scale that evaluates the core symptoms and cognitive features of clinical depression. Each MADRS item is rated on a 0 to 6 scale. The MADRS Total score ranges from 0 (min) to 60 (max). Higher MADRS scores indicate higher levels of depressive symptoms.

The mean change of HAM-D Total Score from baseline to the end of treatment was calculated by subtracting the HAM-D Total Score assessed at week 8 from the baseline one (Baseline - week 8).

HAM-D is a multiple choice questionnaire used to rate the severity of a patient's major depression. It consists of 17 different items with possible scores from 0 to 4 or 0 to 2 or 0 to 6 depending on the items. Sum the total of all seventeen items gives the HAM-D Total Score, which may range from 0 (min) to 53 (max). The higher the score, the more severe the depression.

The mean change in HAM-A total score from baseline to final assessment was calculated by subtracting the HAM-A Total score assessed at week 8 from the total score assessed at the baseline (baseline - week 8).

The HAM-A is a 14-item scale that assesses anxiety symptoms of anxiety such as "anxious mood", "tension" or "fears". Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0=not present to 4=severe. Sum the scores from all 14 parameters gives the HAM-A Total Score which may range from 0 (min) to 56 (max).

The reported mean change in the CGI-S score was calculated as baseline - week 8.

CGI-S is a 7-point scale that requires the clinician to rate the severity of the patient's illness at the time of assessment. A patient is assessed on severity of mental illness at the time of rating 1, normal, not at all ill; 2, borderline mentally ill; 3, mildly ill; 4, moderately ill; 5, markedly ill; 6, severely ill; or 7, extremely ill.

The YMRS is a rating scale to assess manic symptoms. The scale has 11 items and is based upon patient's subjective report of his or hers clinical condition over the previous 48 hours.

The mean change in YMRS Total score reported was calculated as baseline - week 8.

The YMRS total score ranges from 0 to 60 where higher scores indicate more severe mania, thus, a negative change (or decrease) from baseline indicates a reduction (or improvement) in manic symptoms. Total score ≤12 indicates remission (13-19=minimal symptoms; 20-25=mild mania, 26-37=moderate mania, 38-60=severe mania).

The mean change in PSQI score from baseline to final assessment at week 8 was calculated as baseline - week 8.

PSQI evaluates 7 areas of quality and pattern of sleep: sleep quality, duration getting to sleep, sleep duration, sleep adequacy, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping pill, and somnolence). Each area is rated on a scale from 0 (better) to 3 (worse) with a total score ranging from 0 to 21. Reduction in total scores are associated with better sleep quality.

The mean change in (Q-LES-Q-Short Form) Total Score from baseline to week 8 was calculated by subtracting the 8 week value from baseline value (baseline - week 8).

The Q-LES-Q-SF is a patient self assessment questionnaire consisting of 16 self-rated questions (1 being very poor - 5 very good); the first 14 will be incorporated into a total score. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.

The mean change in the SDS Total score from baseline to week 8 (baseline- week 8).

Sheehan Disability Scale is a 5 item scale, with a visual analog scale evaluating work/school work, social life and family life ranging from 0 to a maximum score of 30. Each one of the 3 domains is rated from 0-10 (no impairment to most severe impairment) with evaluation of not at all (0), mild (1-3), moderate (4-6), marked (7-9) and extreme (10) disability. A total score will be calculated. A score of 30 indicates most severe impairment.

The 14-item TAQ questionnaire evaluates the patient's overall level of satisfaction with the study medication, the effectiveness, side effects and convenience of the medication.

Effectiveness, side effects, convenience and global satisfaction is rated on a scale of 0 being the worst and 100 being very effective, no side effects or very convenient or very satisfied. Overall satisfaction is rated over a score of 5 and 5 being the best overall satisfaction.