A randomized, double-blind crossover trial of sertraline in women with chronic pelvic pain.
The efficacy of antidepressants as analgesics for a range of chronic pain problems is well documented. However, a controlled trial of an antidepressant for women with chronic pelvic pain has not yet been published. We randomized 23 women from a general gynecology clinic to either double-blind sertraline or placebo. Measures of psychological function, pain, and functional disability were taken at baseline and 6 weeks. After a 2-week washout, the groups were crossed-over and the same measures were done over the next 6 weeks. There were no significant improvements in pain or functional disability noted on sertraline compared to placebo. Studies involving larger samples of patients are needed to confirm these findings.
Engel
C C
CC
Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799, USA. cengel@pobox.com
Walker
E A
EA
Engel
A L
AL
Bullis
J
J
Armstrong
A
A
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline
D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline