Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume 14, Issue 3, 2001, Pages 445-452

Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Venlafaxine in refugee posttraumatic stress disorder with depression symptoms (Article)

Smajkic A.* , Weine S. , Djuric-Bijedic Z. , Boskailo E. , Lewis J. , Pavkovic I.
  • a Project on Genocide, Psychiatry and Witnessing, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States, Refugee Mental Health, Chicago Health Outreach, Heartland Alliance, Chicago, IL, United States
  • b Project on Genocide, Psychiatry and Witnessing, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
  • c Project on Genocide, Psychiatry and Witnessing, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States, Refugee Mental Health, Chicago Health Outreach, Heartland Alliance, Chicago, IL, United States
  • d Refugee Mental Health, Chicago Health Outreach, Heartland Alliance, Chicago, IL, United States
  • e Refugee Mental Health, Chicago Health Outreach, Heartland Alliance, Chicago, IL, United States
  • f Project on Genocide, Psychiatry and Witnessing, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States

Abstract

Three new antidepressants were used in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of depression in Bosnian refugees. Thirty-two Bosnian refugees seeking treatment at a mental health clinic participated in a case series study. All received open trials of Sertraline (n = 15), Paroxetine (n = 12), or Venlafaxine (n = 5), with standard clinical doses. Overall, Sertraline and Paroxetine produced statistically significant improvement at 6 weeks in PTSD symptom severity, in depression, and in Global Assessment of Functioning. Venlafaxine produced improvement in PTSD symptom severity and in Global Assessment of Functioning, did not yield improvement in symptoms of major depressive disorder, and had a high rate of side effects. Notwithstanding improvement of symptoms, all 32 refugees remained PTSD positive at the diagnostic level at the 6-week follow-up.

Author Keywords

PTSD Antidepressants Refugee

Index Keywords

depression refugee clinical trial abdominal pain follow up human Refugees middle aged Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors nausea drug efficacy United States Treatment Failure vertigo venlafaxine Humans Treatment Outcome Severity of Illness Index male headache female functional assessment Psychiatric Status Rating Scales sertraline clinical article paroxetine symptom Article agitation Cyclohexanols Questionnaires adult diaphoresis posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic drug response heart palpitation disease severity drug induced disease antidepressant agent mental health center
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0034883841&doi=10.1023%2fA%3a1011177420069&partnerID=40&md5=6461e17aa6a8dd9990d74e78311c0f04
DOI: 10.1023/A:1011177420069
ISSN: 08949867
Cited by: 41
Original Language: English