An open-label study of citalopram in the treatment of pathological gambling.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the effectiveness of citalopram in the treatment of pathological gambling.


METHODS
Fifteen adult pathological gamblers (DSM-IV criteria) were administered citalopram in an open-label fashion for up to 12 weeks. Subjects were rated at baseline and at 2-week intervals on measures of gambling severity and depression, and monthly on quality of life.


RESULTS
Patients reported significant (p < .05) improvements on all gambling measures including the number of days gambled, the amount of money lost gambling, preoccupation with gambling, and urges to gamble. Thirteen (86.7%) of the patients were rated as "much improved" or "very much improved" on a clinician-rated Clinical Global Impressions scale for gambling. Patients reported improvement in depression and overall quality of life. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (N = 8) improved to approximately the same degree as patients without MDD (N = 7). For most patients, clinical improvement occurred during the first 2 weeks of treatment; for the 9 patients who completed the entire 12-week trial, these gains were maintained.


CONCLUSIONS
Citalopram appears to be an effective treatment for pathological gambling, and this benefit was independent of its antidepressant properties. Future studies employing a control group will be important to examine the extent of the response to nonspecific factors of treatment.
Zimmerman
Mark
M
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
Breen
Robert B
RB
Posternak
Michael A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors