Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals
Background and objectives: Duloxetine is widely used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and various types of neuropathic pain. While its efficacy is well documented in clinical trials, less is known about how it is perceived and utilized in rout...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Oscar Fraile-Martinez Cielo Garcia-Montero Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon Miguel A. Ortega Melchor Alvarez-Mon Javier Quintero |
| author_facet | Oscar Fraile-Martinez Cielo Garcia-Montero Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon Miguel A. Ortega Melchor Alvarez-Mon Javier Quintero |
| author_sort | Oscar Fraile-Martinez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and objectives: Duloxetine is widely used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and various types of neuropathic pain. While its efficacy is well documented in clinical trials, less is known about how it is perceived and utilized in routine psychiatric practice. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 80 psychiatrists from Spain to assess real-world clinical attitudes toward duloxetine. Methods: Participants completed a 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire that examined familiarity, perceived efficacy in multiple conditions (MDD, GAD, neuropathic pain, somatization, and quality of life), and perspectives on tolerability, safety, adherence, and overall satisfaction. Results: Survey results indicated that a large majority of psychiatrists frequently prescribe duloxetine, particularly for patients with MDD and comorbid chronic pain. Notably, 94% rated it as either “more effective” or “much more effective” for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Psychiatrists reported a high perceived efficacy of duloxetine: 94% rated it as “more effective” or “much more effective” for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and 93% gave similarly positive ratings for general neuropathic pain. For somatization, 70% found it “effective” or “very effective”, and 83% observed improvements in quality of life for many of their patients. Psychiatrists generally reported favorable perceptions of duloxetine’s tolerability profile: 97.5% rated it as the antidepressant associated with the least weight gain, and 82.5% perceived fewer sexual side effects compared to other options. Sedation and gastrointestinal side effects were generally considered mild or less severe. In terms of treatment adherence, 69% rated it as “better” or “much better” than other antidepressants, and 80% found its combination with other antidepressants to be “favorable” or “very favorable”. Overall satisfaction was high, with 99% of psychiatrists reporting being either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with its use. The side effect profile was generally viewed as manageable, with low perceived rates of weight gain, sedation, and sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, 96% of respondents expressed a willingness to recommend duloxetine to their colleagues. Conclusions: Psychiatrists reported highly favorable attitudes toward duloxetine, viewing it as a flexible treatment option in routine care. However, these findings reflect clinicians’ subjective perceptions rather than objective clinical outcomes and should be interpreted accordingly. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8d092ff5379e4d1bbb67c956cca5a935 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-8d092ff5379e4d1bbb67c956cca5a9352025-08-20T02:45:53ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-07-0115775710.3390/brainsci15070757Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare ProfessionalsOscar Fraile-Martinez0Cielo Garcia-Montero1Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon2Miguel A. Ortega3Melchor Alvarez-Mon4Javier Quintero5Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, SpainBackground and objectives: Duloxetine is widely used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and various types of neuropathic pain. While its efficacy is well documented in clinical trials, less is known about how it is perceived and utilized in routine psychiatric practice. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 80 psychiatrists from Spain to assess real-world clinical attitudes toward duloxetine. Methods: Participants completed a 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire that examined familiarity, perceived efficacy in multiple conditions (MDD, GAD, neuropathic pain, somatization, and quality of life), and perspectives on tolerability, safety, adherence, and overall satisfaction. Results: Survey results indicated that a large majority of psychiatrists frequently prescribe duloxetine, particularly for patients with MDD and comorbid chronic pain. Notably, 94% rated it as either “more effective” or “much more effective” for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Psychiatrists reported a high perceived efficacy of duloxetine: 94% rated it as “more effective” or “much more effective” for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and 93% gave similarly positive ratings for general neuropathic pain. For somatization, 70% found it “effective” or “very effective”, and 83% observed improvements in quality of life for many of their patients. Psychiatrists generally reported favorable perceptions of duloxetine’s tolerability profile: 97.5% rated it as the antidepressant associated with the least weight gain, and 82.5% perceived fewer sexual side effects compared to other options. Sedation and gastrointestinal side effects were generally considered mild or less severe. In terms of treatment adherence, 69% rated it as “better” or “much better” than other antidepressants, and 80% found its combination with other antidepressants to be “favorable” or “very favorable”. Overall satisfaction was high, with 99% of psychiatrists reporting being either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with its use. The side effect profile was generally viewed as manageable, with low perceived rates of weight gain, sedation, and sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, 96% of respondents expressed a willingness to recommend duloxetine to their colleagues. Conclusions: Psychiatrists reported highly favorable attitudes toward duloxetine, viewing it as a flexible treatment option in routine care. However, these findings reflect clinicians’ subjective perceptions rather than objective clinical outcomes and should be interpreted accordingly.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/757duloxetinemajor depressive disorder (MDD)generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)chronic painefficacytolerability |
| spellingShingle | Oscar Fraile-Martinez Cielo Garcia-Montero Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon Miguel A. Ortega Melchor Alvarez-Mon Javier Quintero Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals Brain Sciences duloxetine major depressive disorder (MDD) generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) chronic pain efficacy tolerability |
| title | Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals |
| title_full | Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals |
| title_fullStr | Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals |
| title_short | Delving into the Perception, Use, and Context of Duloxetine in Clinical Practice: An Analysis Based on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals |
| title_sort | delving into the perception use and context of duloxetine in clinical practice an analysis based on the experience of healthcare professionals |
| topic | duloxetine major depressive disorder (MDD) generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) chronic pain efficacy tolerability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/757 |
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