Posted by bleauberry on September 26, 2009, at 18:02:03
In reply to Agomelatine superior to Fluoxetine, posted by Netch on September 25, 2009, at 3:32:47
Due to clinical study flaws, biases, politics, financial backers, and tricks of statisticians, I don't hold a lot of integrity in studies. They are a decent overall general view however. While a 1.5 point difference is significant as determined the statisticians in one study, it does not reach significance in antoher. Either way, I do not believe a 1.5 point difference is something any of us are likely to feel as a significant difference in our daily lives. It could easily be from the sleep question of the survey where sleep quality was improved enough to make a 1.5 point difference in the total score, but no effect otherwise in pleasure, hobbies, motivation, energy, pain, appetite, etc. Just a hypothetical example to show how easily a 1.5 point difference can actually not mean much.
All that said, I do like Agomelatine for several reasons. One, it is a new approach, a new mechanism, not a me-too copycat. Two, it does not artificially increase serotonin by way of reuptake inhibition. Three, many chronic diseases are showing hints of having some kind of melatonin connection. But still, to see the pharm giants at least put some emphasis somewhere else besides SSRI/SNRI is refreshing.
Years later we will discover what the true strengths, the true weaknesses, and the true side effects of this new drug are. For now, on paper, it looks to me like a refreshing new approach to psychiatry. I hope it pans out better than the 1.5 point difference.
poster:bleauberry
thread:918415
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090921/msgs/918612.html