Optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of depression in primary care: the emerging role of vortioxetine treatment.

Abstract

The management of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in primary care (PC) represents a significant challenge and a great opportunity for early and effective intervention. Primary care physicians, as first-line physicians, play a key role in the identification, diagnosis and initial treatment of depression, often being the first and sometimes the only point of contact for these patients with the healthcare system. In this context, the search for effective and well-tolerated therapeutic strategies is constant, and vortioxetine represents a good pharmacological option within the therapeutic armamentarium available to the PC physician. This article explores best practices in the management of MDD from the PC perspective, addressing the specific challenges faced by these professionals and examining the potential role of vortioxetine in the treatment of different patient profiles.