title: Obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label pilot trial of escitalopram.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are considered the most effective and well-established pharmacotherapy for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a chronic and disabling condition. However, approximately 40% of patients do not have a significant improvement, suggesting that new medications are needed. This study was designed to investigate the treatment response to escitalopram in OCD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This open-label study involved 11 adult OCD outpatients diagnosed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I Disorders. Data were collected and the treatment response was assessed by an experienced psychiatrist by using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Subjects received escitalopram 30 mg/day for 12 weeks starting at 10 mg/day. Dosage adjustments were made within 2 weeks, depending on the tolerability of the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six of the 11 patients (54.5%) presented a reduction of at least 40% in the baseline total Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the small sample size and the open-label nature of this trial, these data suggest that escitalopram may be a useful option for patients with OCD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galvão-de Almeida
authors.forename: Lucas C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Quarantini
authors.forename: Cristianne R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Góis
authors.forename: Rogério
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santos-Jesus
authors.forename: Angela M A
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Miranda-Scippa
authors.forename: Irismar R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: da Silva Prado
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Leckman
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rosário
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors