Methods	6 week randomised double blind study
Participants	Diagnosis: DSM-III-R major depressive disorder Setting: In- and outpatients
Interventions	1. Mirtazapine: 15-60 mg/day, N = 66 2. Fluoxetine: 20-40 mg/day, N = 67 Flexible dosing scheduling
Outcomes	The measure used for response and remission in the review: 17-item HAM-D Other measures: CGI-Severity, the Visual Analogue Mood Rating Scale, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors’ judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Quote: “randomised” Comment: No further information provided.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Quote: “participants were allocated to treatment with either mirtazapine or fluoxetine, according to the centrally prepared randomization list” Comment: No further information about actual central randomization provided
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Quote: “double-blind” Comment: No further information provided.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	High risk	More than 20% of the allocated participants to both of the intervention arms dropped out during the study
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	The response and remission outcomes at the end of acute-phase treatment are provided in the figures as the proportion of the participants who achieved these
Free of Sponsorship bias?	High risk	The funding source is the pharmaceutical company of mirtazapine