Randomised controlled general practice trial of sertraline, exposure therapy and combined treatment in generalised social phobia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

No controlled trial of treatment of generalised social phobia has been conducted in general practice.

AIMS:

To examine the efficacy of sertraline or exposure therapy, administered alone or in combination in this setting.

METHOD:

Study was of a randomised, double-blind design. Patients (n = 387) received sertraline 50-150 mg or placebo for 24 weeks. Patients were additionally randomised to exposure therapy or general medical care.

RESULTS:

Sertraline-treated patients were significantly more improved than non-sertraline-treated patients (chi(2)=12.53, P<0.001; odds ratio=0.534; 95% Cl 0.347-0.835). No significant difference was observed between exposure- and non-exposure-treated patients (chi(2)=2.18, P=0.140; odds ratio=0.732; 95% Cl 0.475-1.134). In the pairwise comparisons, combined sertraline and exposure (chi(2)=12.32; P<0.001) and sertraline (chi(2)=10.13; P=0.002) were significantly superior to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sertraline is an effective treatment for generalised social phobia. Combined treatment with sertraline and exposure therapy, conducted by the general practitioner, may enhance the treatment efficacy in primary care.

• Authors: S Blomhoff, T T Haug, K Hellström, I Holme, M Humble, H P Madsbu, J E Wold
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 179 Pg. 23-30 (Jul 2001) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 11435264 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Sertraline

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Behavior Therapy (methods)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Data Interpretation, Statistical
• Double-Blind Method
• Family Practice
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phobic Disorders (therapy)
• Sertraline (therapeutic use)