Clinical outcome in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder after discontinuation of SRI treatment: results from a two-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Combined treatment with serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SRI) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common therapy approach for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, it is a matter of debate whether discontinuation of SRI after combined treatment leads to relapse.


METHODS
Seventy-four consecutively admitted patients suffering from OCD were included in the study. Thirty-seven patients were treated with CBT alone, and 37 patients received combined CBT and SRI treatment. Of these latter patients, seventeen discontinued SRI treatment during the follow-up period (1 and 2 years after inpatient treatment). OCD symptom severity was determined by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), and mood was assessed by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).


RESULTS
During the initial treatment, scores for Y-BOCS (p < 0.001), HDRS (p < 0.001) and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) (p < 0.001) improved significantly in all groups. Reassessment two years later revealed that a) OCD symptom severity and depression scores were similar between the groups and b) discontinuation of SRI did not prompt by a recurrence of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
We interpret our results as suggesting that discontinuation of SRI treatment may be considered in formerly combined treated OCD patients after stable remission.
Kordon
Andreas
A
Universitaetsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Klinik fuer Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany. kordon.a@psychiatry.uni-luebeck.de
Kahl
Kai G
KG
Broocks
Andreas
A
Voderholzer
Ulrich
U
Rasche-Räuchle
Hildegard
H
Hohagen
Fritz
F
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors