An open-label trial of fluoxetine for obsessive-compulsive disorder in Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs commonly in association with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS) and can be a major source of disability. Fluoxetine, a new antidepressant, has been effective for psychiatric patients with OCD. We conducted an open-label trial of fluoxetine (20 to 40 mg/d) for 32 GTS patients with OCD. After 1 week of treatment, six patients (16%) withdrew from the trial due to perceived lack of benefit. Data were analyzed for 26 patients (13 children and 13 adults) who were treated by a neurologist for 3 to 8 months. Following treatment, there was a significant reduction in scores on the Leyton Obsessional Inventory for both the adult and child groups, and 81% of patients reported a subjective improvement in obsessions and compulsions. Since fluoxetine was well tolerated, our findings indicate that the drug may be an effective agent for the treatment of OCD in GTS patients.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes