title: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: a double-blind, prospective comparison between paroxetine and sertraline.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to be an effective class of medications for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Within the SSRI class, however, there have been no comparative treatment studies for this disorder. Therefore, in the present study, we compared the efficacy and tolerability of 2 SSRIs, paroxetine and sertraline, in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this parallel-group, double-blind, flexible-dose study, 55 patients with primary generalized anxiety disorder (DSM-IV criteria) were randomly assigned to receive either paroxetine or sertraline treatment for 8 weeks. Primary efficacy measures were the mean changes in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) scores as well as responder and remission rates based on the Clinical Global Impressions scale. Secondary efficacy measures consisted of the Indiana University Generalized Anxiety Measurement Scale and self-report ratings of anxiety, and quality-of-life outcome. Tolerability was assessed using the Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events questionnaire for treatment-emergent symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intent-to-treat sample consisted of 53 patients who received medication for at least 1 week. Of the 53 patients, 43 completed the entire 8 weeks of treatment. Both paroxetine and sertraline resulted in significant decreases in mean HAM-A scores (paroxetine = 57% +/- 28%; sertraline = 56% +/- 28%). There were no differences between medication groups on response or remission rates, and tolerability was comparable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both paroxetine and sertraline appear similarly effective and well tolerated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. suball@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Delynda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: Anantha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shekhar
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Goddard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline