[Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: a sistematic review].
Anxiety disorders are very prevalent in children and adolescents, causing serious impairments. The pharmacological treatment for these disorders is not much investigated in children and adolescents. Thus, there is no consensus about its indication. The present study aims to check the efficacy and tolerability of drugs used for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents in the context of evidence based medicine. A systematic literature review was carried out in the main databases. In addition, authors were contacted. We found seven studies classified as A or B according to criteria established by the Cochrane Collaboration. Findings suggest efficacy for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, insignificant or unfavorable results for benzodiazepines and imipramine. Some studies present methodological problems. Methodological improvements are needed in futures clinical trials.
Maia
Carlos Renato Moreira
CR
Serviço de Psiquiatria da Infância e Adolescência, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Rohde
Luis Augusto
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D007099:Imipramine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors