Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.172

The Influence of Pharmacogenetic Variants on the Efficacy and Tolerability of Antidepressant Therapy: Patient Experiences

Paula Marinović ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia *
Lana Ganoci ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Division for Pharmacogenomics and Therapy Individualization, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Livija Šimičević ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Division for Pharmacogenomics and Therapy Individualization, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Jason-Christopher Radermacher ; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Saša Jevtović ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Emio Halilović ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Alma Mihaljević-Peleš ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nada Božina ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Julia Stingl ; University Hospital Heidelberg, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg, Germany
Maja Živković ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Introduction: In the modern patient-centered approach
to treatment, patient-reported outcomes
(PROs) play an increasingly important role in assessing
the effectiveness and tolerability of therapy.
Since they reflect patients’ experiences related
to symptoms, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and
overall health status, PROs are a valuable complement
to clinical indicators. Objectives: To examine patients’ perceptions of the effectiveness
and safety of antidepressant therapy and to explore
the association of pharmacogenetic (PGx)
variants with reported treatment outcomes and
adverse effects. Materials and methods: The study
included 123 psychiatric patients who completed
a questionnaire on current symptoms and possible
adverse effects of antidepressant therapy.
Pharmacogenetic (PGx) profiles (ABCB1, ABCG2,
COMT, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19,
CYP2D6, CYP3A4/5, and SERT) were available
for 49 patients, and their association with treatment
outcomes and reported adverse effects
was additionally analyzed. Results: Among the
49 patients, sertraline was the most commonly
prescribed antidepressant (85.7%), followed by
escitalopram (8.2%). Most patients received combination
therapy (81.6%). The most frequently reported
adverse effects were nausea (51.0%), dizziness
(10.2%), and dry mouth (8.2%). CYP2C19
phenotypes were predominantly rapid or normal
metabolizers, while CYP2D6 and CYP2B6 were
most often normal or intermediate metabolizers.
SERT (5-HTTLPR) function was most commonly
normal or reduced. Exploratory analysis using
Fisher’s exact test showed a nominal association
between CYP2B6 and nausea, CYP2C19 and dizziness,
and CYP2B6 and dry mouth. Conclusion:
Integration of PGx profiles and PRO outcomes
enables an individualized approach to prescribing
antidepressant therapy, reducing the need
for “trial-and-error” prescribing. The study was
financially supported by the project Artificial Intelligence
for Personalised Medicine in Depression –
ArtiPro (ERA PerMed).

Keywords

pharmacogenomics; personalized medicine; depression

Hrčak ID:

352313

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/352313

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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