title: Ketanserin in the treatment of systemic sclerosis: a double-blind controlled trial.
abstract: In a randomized, double-blind study, the selective and specific S2-serotonergic receptor antagonist, ketanserin was compared with placebo in 24 patients with systemic sclerosis. Following a 6-week placebo washout period, patients were randomly allocated to receive ketanserin or placebo for 6 months. Ketanserin failed to produce a greater improvement than placebo in functional and objective clinical signs and symptoms as well as in most subjective assessments. However, in a global rating by the physician ketanserin was superior to placebo. No difference in the frequency or severity of side-effects was found. The results cast doubt on the hypothesis that serotonin may be a major contributing factor in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Pasteur, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ortonne
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torzuoli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dujardin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fraitag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007650:Ketanserin