Author(s): Schmitt,Ricardo ; Gazalle,Fernando Kratz ; Lima,Maurício Silva de ; Cunha,Ângelo ; Souza,Juliano ; Kapczinski,Flávio
Date: 2005
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): Anxiety disorders/drug therapy; Antidepressive agents/therapeutic use; Randomized controlled trials; Review, academic [Publication type]; Meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and acceptability of antidepressants in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS: All randomized controlled trials assessing the use of antidepressants in generalized anxiety disorder up to may 2002 were included. Non randomized trials and those that included patients with both generalized anxiety disorder and another Axis I co-morbidity were excluded. Relative risks, weighted mean difference and number needed to treat were estimated. People who died or dropped out were regarded as having had no improvement. RESULTS: Antidepressants (imipramine, venlafaxine and paroxetine) were found to be superior to placebo in treating generalized anxiety disorder. The calculated number needed to treat for antidepressants in generalized anxiety disorder was 5.15. Dropout rates did not differ between antidepressants and placebo. CONCLUSION: The available evidence suggests that antidepressants would probably be a reasonable treatment for generalized anxiety disorder patients in the clinical context.
