BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a persistent anxiety disorder with a high rate of relapse. While several trials have demonstrated the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for GAD treatment, fewer studies have investigated its efficacy in preventing symptom relapse in long-term treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate if long-term pharmacotherapy may prevent relapses in GAD patients. METHODS: This is a systematic review of the relapse prevention trials with GAD patients. RESULTS: Eight trials were included in this review with 5304 patients in total. All patients showed a higher risk of relapse if treatment was not maintained for at least 6 months after remission, with hazard ratios ranging from 0.12 to 0.58 and mostly moderate effect sizes (0.19-1.06). CONCLUSION: Long-term pharmacotherapy may prevent symptom relapse in GAD patients. As the relapse rate is very high, the data support the continuation of pharmacotherapy for as long as possible.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a persistent anxiety disorder with a high rate of relapse. While several trials have demonstrated the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for GAD treatment, fewer studies have investigated its efficacy in preventing symptom relapse in long-term treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate if long-term pharmacotherapy may prevent relapses in GAD patients. METHODS: This is a systematic review of the relapse prevention trials with GAD patients. RESULTS: Eight trials were included in this review with 5304 patients in total. All patients showed a higher risk of relapse if treatment was not maintained for at least 6 months after remission, with hazard ratios ranging from 0.12 to 0.58 and mostly moderate effect sizes (0.19-1.06). CONCLUSION: Long-term pharmacotherapy may prevent symptom relapse in GAD patients. As the relapse rate is very high, the data support the continuation of pharmacotherapy for as long as possible.
Authors: Martin A Katzman; Olga Brawman-Mintzer; Efren B Reyes; Bengt Olausson; Sherry Liu; Hans Eriksson Journal: Int Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2011-01 Impact factor: 1.659