Efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine and sertraline in Korean veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized open label trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of mirtazapine in Korean veterans diagnosed with PTSD, by comparing it with sertraline, a drug approved for use in PTSD in the USA.

METHODS:

Efficacy was evaluated by the clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS-2), the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-17) and the clinical global impression scale (CGI), at baseline and at weeks 1, 2 and 6. A response was defined as a > or = 30 % decrease in CAPS-2 total severity, a > or = 50 % decrease in total HAMD-17 score, and a CGI-I score < 3.

RESULTS:

51 patients on mirtazapine (mean age/duration of illness: 59.1/33.5 years) and 49 on sertraline (mean age/duration of illness: 60.6/35.6 years) completed the study. The mean daily dosage was 34.1 mg for mirtazapine and 101.5 mg for sertraline. On the CAPS-2 total score more patients responded in the mirtazapine group at week 1 (13 vs 2 %) and week 2 (51 vs 31 %). At week 6 this difference was statistically significant (88 % vs 69 %, p = 0.039) on the CAPS-2 total score. The HAMD-17 total score and CGI-I score decreased in both groups, with no significant differences between th groups on all time points. The main side effects for the mirtazapine group were: dry mouth (19.6 %), constipation (19.6 %), somnolence (15.7 %) and weight gain (1.96 %); and for the sertraline group: indigestion (14.3 %), palpitation (6.1 %), agitation (2.0 %), epigastric soreness (2.0 %), insomnia (2.0 %) and sexual dysfunction (2.0 %).

CONCLUSION:

Mirtazapine appeared to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PTSD in Korean veterans.

• Authors: Moon Yong Chung, Kyung Ho Min, Yong Ju Jun, Sung Soo Kim, Wan Chul Kim, Eun Mi Jun
• Journal: Human psychopharmacology (Hum Psychopharmacol) Vol. 19 Issue 7 Pg. 489-94 (Oct 2004) ISSN: 0885-6222 [Print] England
• PMID: 15378676 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Mianserin
• Mirtazapine
• Sertraline

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Humans
• Korea
• Male
• Mianserin (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Mirtazapine
• Sertraline (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (drug therapy)
• Veterans