Fluoxetine in post-traumatic stress disorder. Randomised, double-blind study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Most pharmacotherapy trials in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been conducted upon male combat veterans. Outcome studies relating to civilians are therefore needed.

AIMS:

To demonstrate that fluoxetine is more effective than placebo in treating PTSD.

METHOD:

Civilians with PTSD (n = 53) were treated for 12 weeks with fluoxetine (up to 60 mg/day) or placebo. Assessments of PTSD severity, disability, stress vulnerability, and high end-state function were obtained.

RESULTS:

Fluoxetine was more effective than placebo on most measures at week 12, including global improvement (much or very much improved: fluoxetine 85%, placebo 62%, difference 0.24, 95% CI 0.01-0.47; very much improved: fluoxetine 59%, placebo 19%, difference 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.64), and high end-state function (fluoxetine 41%, placebo 4%, difference 0.37, 95% CI 0.17-0.57).

CONCLUSIONS:

Fluoxetine was superior for measures of PTSD severity, disability, stress vulnerability, and high end-state function. The placebo-group response was low when viewed as a broad outcome based on a portfolio of ratings, but was higher with a traditional global rating criterion.

• Authors: K M Connor, S M Sutherland, L A Tupler, M L Malik, J R Davidson
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 175 Pg. 17-22 (Jul 1999) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 10621763 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Fluoxetine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Fluoxetine (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome