Background : Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by a cluster of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive features causing functional impairment. Escitalopram and Vilazodone are approved drugs in management of MDD. Escitalopram is found to be efficacious in patients with MDD. However, sexual dysfunction and weight gain are of a primary concern leading to discontinuation of treatment. Vilazodone is efficacious for patients who do not respond to SSRI/SNRI monotherapy. Evidence suggests it to be associated with a better side effect profile. Aim : To study the effectiveness and side effect profile of vilazodone and escitalopram in patients diagnosed with MDD. Materials and Methods : All patients diagnosed with MDD and commenced for the first time on vilazodone or escitalopram were included in the study via purposive sampling. Effectiveness and side effect profiles of the patients were studied by applying HAM-D and ASEC, respectively, at baseline, at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Results : There was a statistically significant difference in weeks 2, 4, and 6 for both the drugs. On intergroup comparison, no significant difference was found in terms of response rates. The number of side-effects was more in the escitalopram group. Conclusion : Taken together with our results, vilazodone appears to be equally effective as escitalopram in treating patients of MDD. However, vilazodone has the advantage of better tolerability as compared to escitalopram. Key messages: Vilazodone was found to be equally effective as escitalopram in patients with MDD and has the advantage of better tolerability as compared to escitalopram.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic can significantly affect the mental health of doctors as they stand in the front line of this crisis. The psychiatric consequences, in part, can be due to the stress the doctors are subjected to due to their close involvement in the treatment of infected patients. Some of the other reasons are related to the fear of transmission to their families and concerns about the health of self and family, stigmatization, and rejection. Aims: To assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among doctors working in district COVID hospital, note the possible association of life events with the mental health of the doctors during the current situation and address the coping styles they have sought to endure the current crisis. Materials and Methods: An online survey is conducted to assess the psychological responses of doctors during the COVID-19 outbreak. It consisted of four subsections covering (1) sociodemographic data and information on individuals' working conditions, (2) Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, (3) presumptive stressful life events scale, (4) Brief-COPE. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Results: Of the 353 participants, 80 had symptoms of depression, 151 anxiety, and 74 stress. Significant levels of depression were found among doctors involved in the direct care of patients with COVID-19 compared to those not involved in direct care. Undesirable events were found to be greater in number than desirable events. Concerning coping strategies, we found the more frequent use of adaptive coping strategies compared with maladaptive coping strategies among respondents. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has a sizeable psychological impact on the mental health of doctors involved in direct and indirect care of patients with COVID-19.

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