The efficacy of antidepressants for generalized anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and acceptability of antidepressants in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.


METHODS
All randomized controlled trials assessing the use of antidepressants in generalized anxiety disorder up to may 2002 were included. Non randomized trials and those that included patients with both generalized anxiety disorder and another Axis I co-morbidity were excluded. Relative risks, weighted mean difference and number needed to treat were estimated. People who died or dropped out were regarded as having had no improvement.


RESULTS
Antidepressants (imipramine, venlafaxine and paroxetine) were found to be superior to placebo in treating generalized anxiety disorder. The calculated number needed to treat for antidepressants in generalized anxiety disorder was 5.15. Dropout rates did not differ between antidepressants and placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
The available evidence suggests that antidepressants would probably be a reasonable treatment for generalized anxiety disorder patients in the clinical context.
Schmitt
Ricardo
R
University Hospital, Federal University, RS, Brazil.
Gazalle
Fernando Kratz
FK
Lima
Maurício Silva de
MS
Cunha
Angelo
A
Souza
Juliano
J
Kapczinski
Flávio
F
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017374:Paroxetine; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D007099:Imipramine