The efficacy of antidepressants for generalized anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria

Ricardo Schmitt²  Fernando Kratz Gazalle²  Maurício Silva De Lima¹  Ângelo Cunha¹  Juliano Souza¹  Flávio Kapczinski² 

[1] ,Federal University University Hospital Psychiatry Research Unit RS ,Brazil

关键词: Anxiety disorders;    Antidepressive agents;    Randomized controlled trials;    Review;    academic [Publication type];    Meta-analysis;    Transtornos da ansiedade;    Agentes antidepressivos;    Ensaios controlados aleatórios;    Revisão acadêmica [Tipo de publicação];    Metanálise;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1516-44462005000100007

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and acceptability of antidepressants in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS: All randomized controlled trials assessing the use of antidepressants in generalized anxiety disorder up to may 2002 were included. Non randomized trials and those that included patients with both generalized anxiety disorder and another Axis I co-morbidity were excluded. Relative risks, weighted mean difference and number needed to treat were estimated. People who died or dropped out were regarded as having had no improvement. RESULTS: Antidepressants (imipramine, venlafaxine and paroxetine) were found to be superior to placebo in treating generalized anxiety disorder. The calculated number needed to treat for antidepressants in generalized anxiety disorder was 5.15. Dropout rates did not differ between antidepressants and placebo. CONCLUSION: The available evidence suggests that antidepressants would probably be a reasonable treatment for generalized anxiety disorder patients in the clinical context.

【 授权许可】

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