title: Comparing the effect of prazosin and hydroxyzine on sleep quality in patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In light of the high prevalence of sleep disorders in patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study sought to compare the effect of prazosin and hydroxyzine on sleep quality in this patient group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 patients suffering from PTSD were assessed (mean age = 35.51 years, SD = 6.41; 28% females). Next, they were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: prazosin (33 patients), hydroxyzine (34 patients) or placebo (33 patients). The trial lasted for 8 weeks. The patients' sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Items taken from the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were used to operationalize PTSD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to controls, patients treated with prazosin and hydroxyzine reported improved sleep and less nightmares. Improvement was greatest in patients treated with prazosin compared to hydroxyzine and placebo. Improvement in sleep was associated with an amelioration of their PTSD symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both prazosin and hydroxyzine can be used to treat psychopharmacological sleep disorders and nightmares in patients suffering from PTSD, also leading to reductions in PTSD symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadpanah
authors.forename: Parasto
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sabzeiee
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.forename: Saadat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torabian
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jahangard
authors.forename: Hafez
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bajoghli
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011224:Prazosin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D011224:Prazosin