Obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label pilot trial of escitalopram.
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.
Galvão-de Almeida
Amanda
A
Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.
Quarantini
Lucas C
LC
Góis
Cristianne R
CR
Santos-Jesus
Rogério
R
Miranda-Scippa
Angela M A
AM
de Oliveira
Irismar R
IR
da Silva Prado
Helena
H
Leckman
James F
JF
Rosário
Maria C
MC
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
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors