Ref (type)	Population	Outcome, Interventions	Results and statistical analysis	Effect size	Favours
Symptom severity
[70] RCT 4-armed trial	365 people In review [51]	Response rates (response defined as Clinical Global Impressions Scale [CGI] score of 1 or 2) 8 weeks 54/87 (62%) with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) 38/98 (39%) with placebo	P = 0.002 venlafaxine 75 mg v placebo	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine (75 mg/day)
[70] RCT 4-armed trial	365 people In review [51]	Response rates (response defined as CGI score of 1 or 2) 8 weeks 44/87 (49%) with venlafaxine (150 mg/day) 38/98 (39%) with placebo	P value not reported for venlafaxine 150 mg v placebo
[51] Systematic review	558 people 2 RCTs in this analysis	Non-treatment response 8 to 28 weeks with venlafaxine with placebo Absolute numbers not reported	RR 0.68 95% CI 0.46 to 0.99 NNT 5 95% CI 4 to 9	Small effect size	venlafaxine
[30] Systematic review	1626 people 5 RCTs in this analysis	Symptoms with venlafaxine with placebo Absolute results not reported	Reported as improved with venlafaxine P value not reported
[68] RCT	244 people with GAD and depression, recruited from general practice	Response rates (50% reduction in Hamilton Anxiety Scale [HAM-A]) 24 weeks 52% with venlafaxine (sustained release 75–150 mg/day) 48% with placebo Absolute numbers not reported	P = 0.68		Not significant
[59] RCT 3-armed trial	392 people	Mean difference in HAM-A 8 weeks with venlafaxine extended release with placebo Absolute numbers not reported	Mean difference –2.27 P = 0.01	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine
[68] RCT	244 people with GAD and depression, recruited from general practice	Remission rate (defined as HAM-A score of >7) 24 weeks 28% with venlafaxine (sustained release 75–150 mg/day) 19% with placebo Absolute numbers not reported	P = 0.11		Not significant
[68] RCT	244 people with GAD and depression, recruited from general practice	CGI score of 1 or 2 (meaning "much" or "very" improved) 24 weeks 65% with venlafaxine (sustained release 75–150 mg/day) 46% with placebo Absolute numbers not reported	P = 0.003	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine
[67] RCT	46 people	Remission rates (defined as a score of 7 or less in HAM-A) 8 weeks 15/24 (63%) with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) 2/22 (9%) with placebo	P = 0.0006	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine
[67] RCT	46 people	HAM-A (mean change from baseline) 8 weeks –19.2 with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) –10.8 with placebo	P <0.001	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine
[67] RCT	42 people	CGI-Severity (mean change from baseline) 8 weeks –2.4 with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) –1.2 with placebo	P = 0.002	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine
[67] RCT	42 people	CGI-Improvement (mean change from baseline) 8 weeks –1.8 with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) –0.6 with placebo	P = 0.012	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine
[67] RCT	42 people	Covi Anxiety Scale (mean change from baseline) 8 weeks –4.8 with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) –3.3 with placebo	P = 0.056		Not significant
[69] RCT 4-armed trial	421 people	Mean change in HAM-A 6 weeks –14.1 with venlafaxine (75 mg/day) –11.6 with placebo	P = 0.03	Effect size not calculated	venlafaxine