The efficacy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for social anxiety disorder (social phobia): A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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dc.contributor.authorVan der Linden G.J.H.
dc.contributor.authorStein D.J.
dc.contributor.authorVan Balkom A.J.L.M.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:59:18Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:59:18Z
dc.date.issued2000
dc.description.abstractThis article reviews all available studies on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder. Using the search methods laid out by the Cochrane Collaboration, 25 published reports of SSRI effectiveness for social anxiety disorder were identified, of which eight were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). The odds ratios of responder status ('much improved' or 'very much improved' on the Clinical Global Impression Scale) for SSRI versus placebo varied between 2.1 and 26.2. In no RCT was the lower confidence limit less than 1. The number needed to treat varied from 1.6 to 4.2. The number of patients who responded to drug was approximately twice the number who responded to placebo. Comparing the change in mean Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale score in patients treated with drug versus those treated with placebo, the effect sizes of the RCTs varied from 0.3 to 2.2. In four RCTs the effect size was 'large', in one 'moderate' and in two 'small'. Furthermore, response rates and effect sizes for SSRIs were larger than those seen in trials of the reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (RIMAs). It may be concluded with a high degree of confidence that SSRI treatment for social anxiety disorder is effective, both in reducing total levels of social anxiety and in improving patients' overall clinical condition. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
dc.description.versionConference Paper
dc.identifier.citationInternational Clinical Psychopharmacology
dc.identifier.citation15
dc.identifier.citationSUPPL. 2
dc.identifier.issn2681315
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/11111
dc.subjectalprazolam
dc.subjectatenolol
dc.subjectbenzodiazepine derivative
dc.subjectbeta adrenergic receptor blocking agent
dc.subjectbuspirone
dc.subjectcitalopram
dc.subjectclomipramine
dc.subjectclonazepam
dc.subjectfluoxetine
dc.subjectfluvoxamine
dc.subjectmonoamine oxidase inhibitor
dc.subjectparoxetine
dc.subjectphenelzine
dc.subjectplacebo
dc.subjectserotonin uptake inhibitor
dc.subjectsertraline
dc.subjecttricyclic antidepressant agent
dc.subjectanxiety neurosis
dc.subjectclinical trial
dc.subjectconference paper
dc.subjectcontrolled clinical trial
dc.subjectcontrolled study
dc.subjectdouble blind procedure
dc.subjectdrug efficacy
dc.subjecthuman
dc.subjectmeta analysis
dc.subjectpriority journal
dc.subjectpsychopharmacology
dc.subjectrandomized controlled trial
dc.subjectsocial phobia
dc.subjecttreatment outcome
dc.subjectClinical Trials
dc.subjectDrug Resistance
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectObsessive-Compulsive Disorder
dc.subjectSerotonin Uptake Inhibitors
dc.titleThe efficacy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for social anxiety disorder (social phobia): A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
dc.typeConference Paper
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