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Fluoxetine in post-traumatic stress disorder

Randomised, double-blind study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Kathryn M. Connor ,
Suzanne M. Sutherland ,
Larry A. Tupler ,
Mary L. Malik ,
R. Jonathan  and
T. Davidson
Kathryn M. Connor*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Suzanne M. Sutherland
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Larry A. Tupler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Mary L. Malik
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
R. Jonathan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
T. Davidson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
*
Dr Jonathan R. T. Davidson, Box 3812, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. Tel: 919-684-2880; Fax: 919-684-8866
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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.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 1 , July 1999 , pp. 17 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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