title: Aripiprazole augmentation in the treatment of military-related PTSD with major depression: a retrospective chart review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this chart review, we attempted to evaluate the benefits of adding aripiprazole in veterans with military-related PTSD and comorbid depression, who had been minimally or partially responsive to their existing medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of patients who received an open-label, flexible-dose, 12- week course of adjunctive aripiprazole was conducted in 27 military veterans meeting DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and comorbid major depression. Concomitant psychiatric medications continued unchanged, except for other antipsychotics which were discontinued prior to initiating aripiprazole. The primary outcome variable was a change from baseline in the PTSD checklist-military version (PCL-M) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PTSD severity (Total PCL scores) decreased from 56.11 at baseline to 46.85 at 12-weeks (p < 0.0001 from Wilcoxon signed rank test) and the depression severity decreased from 30.44 at baseline to 20.67 at 12-weeks (p < 0.0001 from Wilcoxon signed rank test). Thirty seven percent (10/27) were considered responders, as defined by a decrease in total PCL scores of at least 20 percent and 19% (5/27) were considered as responders as defined by a decrease in total BDI score of at least 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of aripiprazole contributed to a reduction in both PTSD and depression symptomatology in a population that has traditionally demonstrated poor pharmacological response. Further investigations, including double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, are essential to confirm and further demonstrate the benefit of aripiprazole augmentation in the treatment of military related PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Operational Stress Injury Clinic, St, Joseph's Health Care London-Parkwood Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada. Don.Richardson@sjhc.london.on.ca
authors.forename: J Don
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fikretoglu
authors.forename: Aihua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McIntosh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole