Effects of venlafaxine extended release on resilience in posttraumatic stress disorder: an item analysis of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of venlafaxine extended release (ER) on characteristics of resilience, measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data were evaluated from a randomized, 6-month, international, multicenter study of adult outpatients with a primary diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition PTSD for >or=6 months, and 17-item Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale score >or=60. Patients were assigned randomly to treatment with flexible-dose venlafaxine ER (37.5-300 mg/day) or placebo. Changes from baseline scores and effect sizes of response to treatment with venlafaxine ER compared with placebo were computed for each item, as well as for the newly developed 2-item and 10-item subscales. Effect sizes across items ranged from 0.41 (moderate) to 0.08 (very weak). The effect size for the Resilience Scale-2 (2-item subscale) was 0.32, which was comparable to the effect sizes of 0.35 for the 25-item full scale and 0.34 for the 10-item subscale. Venlafaxine ER improved resilience on individual Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale items that reflect four factors (hardiness, persistence/tenacity, social support, and faith in a benevolent or meaningful world), to varying degrees in patients with PTSD. The findings suggest that assessment of treatment response might be enhanced by routine evaluation of resilience.

• Authors: Jonathan Davidson, David S Baldwin, Dan J Stein, Ron Pedersen, Saeed Ahmed, Jeff Musgnung, Isma Benattia, Barbara O Rothbaum
• Journal: International clinical psychopharmacology (Int Clin Psychopharmacol) Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 299-303 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 0268-1315 [Print] England
• PMID: 18703940 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Cyclohexanols
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Topics

• Adaptation, Psychological (drug effects, physiology)
• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Cyclohexanols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (drug therapy, psychology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride