Considerations in the treatment of anxiety disorders: a pharmacoeconomic review

Anxiety disorders are a group of common mental disorders that impose a significant economic burden on the healthcare system and society. For this review of published literature on the pharmacoeconomics of treating anxiety disorders, various studies of the cost, resource use and the economic outcomes of pharmacological treatment were examined. Numerous studies have been published that document how the excessive costs associated with anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder, result from a combination of factors including under-recognition and misdiagnosis of the problem by primary healthcare providers, high medical resource utilisation including unnecessary or inappropriate diagnostic tests and high levels of medical help-seeking behaviour by patients. Little information has been available on the economic effects of pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders but recent studies have shown that selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with a shift in medical resource utilisation (lower rates of emergency department and laboratory visits) which can potentially result in decreased healthcare expenditures. Facilitating an increased awareness among primary healthcare providers of the anxiety disorders and utilising appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies can benefit patients while providing more efficient and effective healthcare spending leading to an overall reduction in the burden of disease.     

Use of duloxetine in patients with an anxiety disorder,or with comorbid anxiety and major depressive disorder: a review of the literature

Importance of the field: Except for generalized anxiety disorder, few reports have been published on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of duloxetine in patients with anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Areas covered in this review: The literature search in Medline (dating back to 1966) and Embase (dating back to 1988) databases was conducted using the OVID interface on 9 April 2009, restricted to any article or abstract in English, per title, reporting any information on the use of duloxetine in patients with any anxiety disorder with or without concomitant MDD. A systematic review approach was taken.

What the reader will gain: The reader will gain knowledge of the current data available on the use of duloxetine to treat patients with anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with MDD.

Take home message: Duloxetine could be considered an effective treatment option in the treatment of anxiety disorders individually or in comorbidity with each other, or with MDD; however, apart from the well-demonstrated efficacy, tolerability and safety of duloxetine in the treatment of MDD with or without anxiety and GAD, data on this subject are preliminary and very limited, and more research is warranted.     

帕罗西汀治疗单纯抑郁症和抑郁合并焦虑症病人的疗效比较

目的:比较帕罗西汀对单纯抑郁症和抑郁合并焦虑症的临床疗效。方法:采用前瞻性、多中心合作研究,所有病人均于每日早餐后服用20mg帕罗西汀。对180例资料完整的病人分别于治疗基期、治疗3个月和6个月时进行随访,并评价生活质量(quality of life,QOL)。结果:两组病人的QOL总评分和各维度评分随治疗时间延长而逐步升高,且抑郁合并焦虑症组的QOL改善情况优于单纯抑郁症组。结论:帕罗西汀能显著改善单纯抑郁症和抑郁合并焦虑症病人的QOL,使用足够疗程改善程度更大。     

帕罗西汀治疗卒中后抑郁/焦虑的疗效及安全性

目的 探讨帕罗西汀治疗卒中后抑郁/焦虑的疗效及安全性。方法 选取西安市第一医院收治的312例脑卒中后抑郁/焦虑患者,随机均分为观察组和对照组。对照组患者予以常规、对症、支持治疗及康复训练、心理干预,观察组在此基础上予以盐酸帕罗西汀治疗,每次1片,每日清晨服1次。所有患者治疗2个月。比较分析两组的临床疗效,患者治疗前后的Hamilton抑郁量表（HAMD）评分、焦虑量表（HAMA）评分,血浆P物质（SP）、神经肽Y（NPY）、皮质醇（Cor）含量及副作用量表（TESS）评分。结果 治疗后,两组患者的HAMD、HAMA评分均明显下降（P<0.05）,且观察组显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。对照组和研究组的临床总有效率分别为60.26%和87.82%,研究组明显优于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组患者的SP、Cor均明显下降,NPY明显升高,同组治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;并且观察组的改善程度高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组有部分患者出现了厌食、恶心、头晕、失眠等反应,但均可耐受,观察组的TESS评分与对照组相比差异无统计学意义。结论 帕罗西汀治疗卒中后抑郁/焦虑能够有效降低抑郁、焦虑症状,改善神经肽和皮质醇水平,疗效显著,安全性较好,值得临床应用和进一步研究。     

电针与帕罗西汀治疗惊恐障碍的临床疗效

目的 比较电针疗法与帕罗西汀片治疗惊恐障碍的疗效和安全性。方法 将59例随机分为电针组(30例)和帕罗西汀组(29例),疗程为4周。在治疗前及治疗1、2、4、8周时采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMA)、疗效指数(CGI-EI)、Barthel指数(BI)量表评定疗效和不良反应。结果 电针组总有效率为86.66%,帕罗西汀组为82.76%,两组疗效差异无统计学意义;疗效指数及起效时间两组间有显著差异,电针组起效时间短、不良反应少。结论 两种方法治疗惊恐障碍疗效相当,但电针疗法起效时间短、疗效指数高、不良反应少。     

万拉法辛缓释剂与帕罗西汀治疗广泛性焦虑障碍的对照研究

目的研究万拉法辛缓释剂与帕罗西汀治疗广泛性焦虑障碍的疗效与安全性。方法根据DSM-IV诊断标准将广泛性焦虑障碍患者随机分成2组,万拉法辛缓释剂治疗组（25例）和帕罗西汀治疗组（23例）,均治疗8周;采用HAMA、CGI-SI评定疗效;采用TESS、实验室检查及体查评价安全性。结果HAMA、CGI-SI量表分在治疗过程中显著下降,2组疗效相当,均未有严重不良事件发生。结论万拉法辛缓释剂与帕罗西汀是安全有效的治疗广泛性焦虑障碍的药物,患者对药物的耐受性及依从性好。     

帕罗西汀与氯硝西泮治疗社交恐怖症的临床对照研究

目的 探讨帕罗西汀和氯硝西泮治疗社交恐怖症的临床疗效和不良反应.方法 66例社交恐怖症患者随机分为2组,分别用帕罗西汀（ n=34）和氯硝西泮（ n=32）治疗,疗程8 周.采用Marks 恐怖强迫量表中关于恐怖症状的分量表和TESS量表评定疗效和不良反应.结果 治疗第8周末,帕罗西汀组显效率为 58.1%,有效率为80.7 %;氯硝西泮组显效率为55.5%,有效率为74.0%,两药疗效差异无统计学意义（χ^2=0.332,P＞0.05）,在治疗第8周末2组药物恐怖症状量表减分比入组前差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）.两药不良反应不同,帕罗西汀主要表现口干、厌食、恶心及头痛头晕,氯硝西泮主要为嗜睡、头晕乏力及共济失调.但总的不良反应多为轻度,且差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 帕罗西汀治疗社交恐怖症疗效较好,不良反应小,服用方便、安全,更适合长期应用,应做为首选药物,用于临床推广.     

The pharmacological management of childhood anxiety disorders: a review

Rationale Pediatric anxiety is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that may have important implications for school, social, and academic function. Psychopharmacological approaches to the treatment of pediatric anxiety have expanded over the past 20 years and increasing empirical evidence helps guide current clinical practice. Objective To review studies which examine the pharmacological treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders, including obsessive–compulsive disorder and to summarize treatment implications. Methods All relevant studies were searched using MEDLINE and PsycINFO search engines, supplemented by a manual bibliographical search; studies published between 1985 and 2006 that met inclusion criteria were examined. Results This article provides a systematic review of the psychopharmacological treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders based on available empirical evidence, with a focus on randomized controlled trials. General treatment principles and pharmacological management of specific pediatric anxiety disorders are also reviewed. Conclusion There is good evidence to support the efficacy of several pharmacological agents including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to treat pediatric anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder, although there are still many unanswered questions.     

安非他酮与帕罗西汀治疗抑郁症的治疗依从性对照研究

目的评价安非他酮与帕罗西汀治疗抑郁症的药物疗效。方法将60例符合CCMD-3抑郁症诊断标准的患者随机分为2组,分别给予安非他酮和帕罗西汀,治疗后1,2,4,6周后评价疗效和观察不良反应。结果 2组改善抑郁症状的起效时间相似,治疗6周末汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评分分值下降无统计学意义,但安非他酮组药物不良反应较帕罗西汀组少。结论安非他酮治疗抑郁症患者更可以提高病人的治疗依从性。     

血清脑源性神经营养因子对帕罗西汀治疗惊恐障碍效果的影响

目的:探讨脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)在帕罗西汀治疗惊恐障碍中的可能作用。方法:接受帕罗西汀治疗12周的惊恐障碍患者45例(治疗组),按治疗前后汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)减分率分为有效组(≥50%,29例)和无效组(<50%,16例)。采用惊恐相关症状量表(PASS)、17项汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、HAMA、临床总体印象量表(CGI)评定疾病严重程度和改善程度;采用酶联免疫吸附法测定其血清BDNF浓度,并与30名正常对照者(对照组)比较;对治疗组的血清BDNF浓度与各相关因素进行Spearman相关分析。结果:有效组BDNF水平高于无效组和正常对照组(P<0.05),无效组的BDNF水平则低于正常对照组(P<0.05);治疗组血清BDNF水平治疗后的PASS分值(r=-0.540,P=0.000)和HAMA分值(r=-0.491,P=0.001)呈负相关,与治疗前后HAMA评分差值(r=0.425,P=0.004)和PASS评分差值(r=0.522,P=0.000)呈正相关。结论:外周循环中BDNF水平减少在惊恐障碍的病理生理机制中起着重要的作用,可能是帕罗西汀疗效的预测因素。     

Pharmacotherapy of Comorbid Mood,Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders

Mood and anxiety disorders commonly co-occur with substance use disorders. Exploration of the neurobiology of substance use disorders and mood and anxiety disorders have found that the neural circuitry in mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders is clearly overlapping. These discoveries have encouraged the exploration of a number of pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of co-occurring mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. In this article, recent data on the pharmacotherapeutic treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in individuals with substance use disorders are reviewed. Some of the barriers to the use of pharmacotherapy in individuals with substance use disorders are discussed.     

曲唑酮与帕罗西汀治疗焦虑症病人睡眠障碍的比较

目的 :比较曲唑酮和帕罗西汀对焦虑症病人睡眠障碍的疗效。方法 :4 5例焦虑症病人随机分为 2组。曲唑酮组 2 2例 ,给予曲唑酮 5 0～ 10 0mg·d- 1,qn× 8wk。帕罗西汀组 2 3例 ,给予帕罗西汀2 0～ 4 0mg·d- 1,qn× 8wk。结果 :睡眠障碍因子评分 :在 1wk时 ,曲唑酮组 3.0±s 1.7,帕罗西汀组4 .0± 1.6 ;在 2wk时 ,曲唑酮组 1.3± 1.2 ,帕罗西汀组 2 .3± 1.3(均P <0 .0 5 )。总睡眠时间 :2组比较在 1wk时差异有非常显著意义 (P <0 .0 1) ;在 2wk时差异有显著意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。早醒现象 :2组比较在 2 ,4wk时差异均有显著意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。睡眠增多、嗜睡不良反应分别为 0 / 2 3,6 / 2 2 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :曲唑酮比帕罗西汀改善睡眠见效早、作用快、作用强 ,睡眠时间长 ,早醒现象轻     

帕罗西汀与谷维素治疗肝硬化患者伴发抑郁焦虑症状的效果对比

目的比较帕罗西汀、谷维素对肝硬化患者伴发抑郁焦虑症状的治疗效果。方法收集2004年3月至2004年9月瑞金医院消化内科病房收治的肝硬化患者中汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)>12分且汉密顿焦虑量表(HAMA)>10分者30例,随机分为帕罗西汀组(10 mg,po,qd)和谷维素组(2片,po,tid),每组15例,疗程6 wk。在治疗的2、4、6 wk分别以HAMD、HAMA、症状自评量表(CSL-90)、生活满意度指数评定及实验室测定肝功能、PT、APTT。结果2组治疗后2、4、6 wk的SCL-90、HAMD、HAMA评分均低于治疗前,生活满意度指数均高于治疗前(P<0．05);6 wk复查,帕罗西汀组SCL-90、HAMD评分均低于谷维素组(P<0．01和<0．05);2和6 wk复查,帕罗西汀组HAMA评分低于谷维素组;4和6 wk复查,帕罗西汀组生活满意度指数高于谷维素组(P<0．01和<0．05);帕罗西汀与谷维素治疗前后肝功能各项指标、PT、APTT无变化(P>0．05)。结论帕罗西汀能够快速有效治疗肝硬化伴发的抑郁焦虑症状,无明显肝功能损害,其疗效优于谷维素。     

帕罗西汀治疗恶性血液病伴发焦虑抑郁症状

目的 :评价帕罗西汀治疗恶性血液病伴发焦虑抑郁症状的疗效。方法 :4 2例病人 (男性 16例 ,女性 2 6例 ,年龄 4 4a +s11a)。服帕罗西汀 2 0mg ,每晨 1次 ,共 6wk ,治疗前和治疗后 2 ,4 ,6wk采用汉密顿抑郁量表 (HAMD)、汉密顿焦虑量表(HAMA)进行分析 ;治疗前后采用抑郁自评量表(SDS)、焦虑自评量表 (SAS)、副反应量表 (TESS)评分进行分析。结果 :治疗后 37例 (88% )量表分值明显下降。治疗前后各因子配对比较 (SAS ,SDS ,HAMD ,HAMA等 )差异有非常显著意义 (P <0 .0 1) ,用药后疗效在wk 2～ 4最为明显 ;wk 4～ 6趋于平缓。未发生严重不良反应。结论 :帕罗西汀能减轻恶性血液病伴发焦虑抑郁症状 ,提高病人生存质量。     

Baseline anxiety effect on outcome of SSRI treatment in patients with severe depression: escitalopram vs paroxetine

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate if treatment outcome for severely depressed patients depends on their baseline level of anxiety.     

Paroxetine for the treatment of depression: a critical update

Disorders of thyroid function are common among women of childbearing age. It is known that thyroid physiology normally alters during gestation. Clinicians, often, overlook thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women because of nonspecific symptoms and the hypermetabolic state of normal pregnancy. After all, the clinician must consider thyroid dysfunction as a possibility in pregnant women and differentiate normal physiological changes from thyroid disease. Abnormalities of maternal thyroid function can affect the fetus directly or indirectly. The fetal thyroid begins to produce thyroid hormones after the first trimester, so the critical thyroid hormones for fetal brain development must be supplied by the mother. It is of interest how sensitive the fetus is to decreases in circulating maternal thyroid hormones and in maternal thyrotoxicosis. Over recent years there has been an expansion of knowledge regarding thyroid disease in pregnancy and subsequently controversies about management of thyroid disease in pregnancy. This review focuses on maternal overt and subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy, suggesting guidelines for appropriate treatment for this disease due to its frequency, especially the subclinical manifestation, and the controversy that exists. It also reviews the complications in mother and fetus when hypothyroidism is untreated. On the other hand, with respect to other differing opinions, some recommendations should be given by the authors about supplying thyroxin to pregnant women with thyroid disease other than hypothyroidism.     

Moclobemide and specific serotonin re-uptake inhibitor combination treatment of resistant anxiety and depressive disorders

This retrospective study was undertaken with the objective of determining how effective and safe moclobemide, a specific and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A (RIMA), is when used in combination with specific serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), in a clinical setting. A thorough chart review was done of all patients with affective and anxiety disorders seen at our centre who received combination treatment with moclobemide and an SSRI. Combination moclobemide-SSRI treatment demonstrated good efficacy in treating treatment-resistant patients. The combination treatment was well tolerated with very few drug interactions. Dosages should be started low, titrated slowly and carefully, and patients should be monitored closely.