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

A Randomised, Multi-Centre Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Extended Release Quetiapine Fumarate (Seroquel XR TM) Tablets as Mono-Therapy or in Combination With Lithium in the Treatment of Patients With Acute Bipolar Depression

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00883493
Acronym
QUALITY
Enrollment
421
Registered
2009-04-17
Start date
2009-04-30
Completion date
2011-03-31
Last updated
2012-07-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acute Bipolar Depression

Keywords

Acute bipolar depression, Lithium carbonate, quetiapine fumarate, MADRS

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of quetiapine fumarate monotherapy with quetiapine fumarate in combination with lithium in the treatment of a major depressive episode in patients with bipolar disorder.

Interventions

Quetiapine XR (extended release) will be administered once daily at bedtime in oral tablet form, Day 1: 50 mg, Day 2: 100 mg, Day 3: 200 mg, Day 4 onwards: 300 mg.

DRUGLithium carbonate

Twice daily from Day 1 to Day 56. From Day 1 to Day 7, the total daily dose of lithium could be increased gradually within the dose range 300 mg/day to 1800 mg/day. From Day 8 to Day 56, the total daily dose could be adjusted from 600 to 1800 mg/day

Sponsors

AstraZeneca
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Outpatients that meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder I and bipolar disorder II with the most recent episode depressed * The total score of the scale that's used for the evaluation of depression (HAM-D) should be ≥20 * The total score of the scale that' used for the evaluation of mania (YMRS) should be ≤12

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with a current DSM-IV-TR Axis I disorder other than bipolar disorder within 6 months of enrollment. Patients who pose a current serious suicidal or homicidal risk * Use of drugs that induce or inhibit the hepatic metabolizing enzymes within 14 days before randomisation * Patients who are unable to discontinue all psychoactive medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers at least 7 days prior to randomisation and consistent with the pharmacokinetics of the drug

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score.Baseline, 8 weeksThe change of MADRS Total Score from baseline to the end of treatment was calculated by subtracting the MADRS Total Score assessed at week 8 from the baseline one (Baseline - 8 weeks). 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.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) Total Score.Baseline, 8 WeeksThe 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.
Change in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) Total Scorebaseline, 8 weeksThe 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).
Change in the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) Score.baseline, 8 weeksThe 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.
Change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) Total Score.baseline, 8 weeksThe 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).
Response Rate for MADRS.baseline, week 8Response 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.
Change in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) Total Score.baseline, 8 weeksThe 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.
Change in the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) Total Score.baseline, 8 weeksThe 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.
Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.baseline, 8 weeksThe 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.
Change in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Total Score.Baseline, 8 weeksThe 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.

Countries

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Turkey (Türkiye), Venezuela

Participant flow

Recruitment details

First Subject in (FSI): 22 Apr 2009, Last Subject Last Visit (LSLV): 01 Mar 2011, in 9 countries, 29 Psychiatry centres, 421 randomised participants

Pre-assignment details

An enrollment period of up to 7 days and if applicable a wash-out period for 7-28 days depending on the medication being used, ie. antidepressants, antipsychotics and/or mood stabilizers.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Quetiapine XR
Quetiapine XR administered once daily in oral tablet form, Day 1: 50 mg, Day 2: 100 mg, Day 3: 200 mg, Day 4 onwards: 300 mg.
204
Quatiapine XR + Lithium
Quetiapine XR administered once daily in oral tablet form, Day 1: 50 mg, Day 2: 100 mg, Day 3: 200 mg, Day 4 onwards: 300 mg. Lithium carbonate administered twice daily from Day 1 to Day 56. From Day 1 to Day 7, the total daily dose within the dose range 300 mg/day to 1800 mg/day. From Day 8 to Day 56, the total daily dose adjusted from 600 to 1800 mg/day.
195
Total399

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event1112
Overall StudyEligibility Criteria not fullfilled66
Overall StudyLack of Efficacy43
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up76
Overall StudyOther53
Overall StudyStudy specific disc. criteria20
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject1120

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicQuetiapine XRQuatiapine XR + LithiumTotal
Age Continuous40.6 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.8
39.9 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.1
40.3 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.4
Age, Customized40 years40 years40 years
Body weight72.8 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.3
72.3 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.4
72.5 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.8
Sex: Female, Male
Female
147 Participants138 Participants285 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
57 Participants57 Participants114 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
147 / 212149 / 209
serious
Total, serious adverse events
5 / 2125 / 209

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score.

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

Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis population was Per Protocol (PP).This population included all randomized patients, classified according to medication actually received, who took study medication with not less than 75% compliance and who had a randomisation MADRS assessment and all post-randomisation MADRS assessments within pre-defined time windows at each visit.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score.23.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.4
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score.24.3 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.9
Secondary

Change in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) Total Score

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).

Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis population was Per Protocol (PP).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) Total Score17.5 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.2
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) Total Score17.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.2
Secondary

Change in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) Total Score.

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.

Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis has been performed in modified Per Protocol (PP) population as this Outcome Measure was included after protocol amendment at the stage the recruitment period was already on-going.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) Total Score.-17.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 12
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) Total Score.-18.8 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 13.4
Secondary

Change in the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) Score.

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.

Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis population was Per Protocol (PP).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) Score.3.1 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.4
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) Score.3.3 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Secondary

Change in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Total Score.

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.

Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis has been performed in modified Per Protocol (PP) population as this Outcome Measure was included after protocol amendment at the stage the recruitment period was already on-going.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Total Score.3.7 Scores on a scale95% Confidence Interval -20
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Total Score.5.0 Scores on a scale95% Confidence Interval -16
Secondary

Change in the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) Total Score.

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.

Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis has been performed in modified Per Protocol (PP) population as this Outcome Measure was included after protocol amendment at the stage the recruitment period was already on-going.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) Total Score.14.4 scores on a scale95% Confidence Interval -3
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) Total Score.14.3 scores on a scale95% Confidence Interval -16
Secondary

Change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) Total Score.

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).

Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis population was Per Protocol (PP).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRChange in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) Total Score.2.3 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.8
Quatiapine XR + LithiumChange in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) Total Score.2.2 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.7
Secondary

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) Total Score.

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.

Time frame: Baseline, 8 Weeks

Population: The analysis population was Per Protocol (PP).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRHamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) Total Score.20.5 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 7
Quatiapine XR + LithiumHamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) Total Score.21.0 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.1
Secondary

Response Rate for MADRS.

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.

Time frame: baseline, week 8

Population: The analysis population was Per Protocol (PP).This population included all randomized patients, classified according to medication actually received, who took study medication with not less than 75% compliance and who had a randomisation MADRS assessment and all post-randomisation MADRS assessments within pre-defined time windows at each visit.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Quetiapine XRResponse Rate for MADRS.93.2 percentage of participants
Quatiapine XR + LithiumResponse Rate for MADRS.92.9 percentage of participants
Secondary

Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.

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.

Time frame: baseline, 8 weeks

Population: The analysis has been performed in modified Per Protocol (PP) population as this Outcome Measure was included after protocol amendment at the stage the recruitment period was already on-going.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Effectivenes, baseline42.7 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 20.2
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Effectivenes, week 868.7 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 24.9
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Side effects, baseline41.7 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 25.9
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Side effects, week 858.2 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.7
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Convenience, baseline53.8 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.5
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Convenience, week 873.6 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.1
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Global satisfaction, baseline37.4 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.1
Quetiapine XRTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Global satisfaction, week 869.4 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 19.4
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Global satisfaction, week 870.7 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.9
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Effectivenes, baseline36.7 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.7
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Convenience, baseline52.8 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.8
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Effectivenes, week 866.7 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.8
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Global satisfaction, baseline35.0 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.7
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Side effects, baseline44.4 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 24.9
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Convenience, week 872.9 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.2
Quatiapine XR + LithiumTreatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) Scores.Side effects, week 850.4 Scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 17

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026