Early response and 8-week treatment outcome in GAD.
Our objective was to compare the predictive value of early response to treatment outcome in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treated with benzodiazepines, serotonin receptor (5HT-1A) partial agonists, or placebo. Data from two double-blind GAD studies were combined. Subjects were evaluated with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) scale over 8 weeks. Categories of response at weeks 1 and 2 were defined by the HAM-A total score. Analyses of covariance and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were the primary analyses used to assess 8-week end point treatment outcomes as a function of early improvement. HAM-A change from baseline to weeks 1 and 2 significantly predicted last observation carried forward (LOCF) response at week 8 for both medications and for placebo (P<.001). Early improvement was a strong predictor for treatment outcome irrespective of whether active medication or placebo was the treatment agent.
Rynn
Moira
M
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. mrynn2@mail.med.upenn.edu
Khalid-Khan
Sarosh
S
Garcia-Espana
J Felipe
JF
Etemad
Bijan
B
Rickels
Karl
K
D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C056895:flesinoxan; C039979:gepirone; D003975:Diazepam