Sertraline effects on dyspnea in patients with obstructive airways disease.
Dyspnea can have a debilitating effect on psychosocial and physical functioning in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease. Previous research has suggested that treatment of concomitant mood or anxiety symptoms can improve dyspnea and exercise intolerance among patients with respiratory disease. The authors report here on a case series of 7 patients with obstructive airways disease who reported improvements in dyspnea after sertraline 25-100 mg/day was added to their medication regimens. Four of the seven patients did not appear to meet syndromal criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder. Subjective improvements in dyspnea may have been related to relief of mood or anxiety symptoms or to direct effects on central respiratory systems. Controlled studies are needed to clarify the potential antidyspneic effects of sertraline.
Smoller
J W
JW
Department of Psychiatry and Pulmonary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Pollack
M H
MH
Systrom
D
D
Kradin
R L
RL
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000187:drug effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline
D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline