Objective: To evaluate the effects of duloxetine on depression, anxiety, pain, disease activity and function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Methods: A total of 55 AS patients with concurrent depression disorders were randomized into treatment and control groups. Both were given conventional therapy of AS while duloxetine was administered in treatment group. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), functional Index (BASFI) and metrology Index (BASMI), spinal pain, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) were recorded before and Weeks 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment.
Results: (1) Spinal pain, BASDAI, BASFI and SDS scores significantly declined by repeated measurement data analysis of variance in treatment group (P < 0.05). And no statistical difference existed between BASMI and SAS (P > 0.05). (2) The reduced rates of spinal pain and BASDAI were positively correlated with those of SDS and SAS. And the reduced rate of BASFI was positively correlated with SDS and HAMD reduced rate. However, no relationship existed between BASMI, SDS, SAS or HAMD. (3) The remission rate of AS symptoms and depression disorders were both significantly higher in treatment group than that in control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The combined regimen of duloxetine and conventional therapy is significantly effective in the treatment of AS patients with depression and anxiety.