Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T16:02:24.115Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Sertraline as a treatment for PTSD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Paul Mooney ,
Janette Oakley ,
Michael Ferriter  and
Raymond Travers
Paul Mooney
Affiliation:
Forensic Mental Health Research Unit, Rampton Hospital, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 OPD, England
Janette Oakley
Affiliation:
Forensic Mental Health Research Unit, Rampton Hospital, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 OPD, England
Michael Ferriter
Affiliation:
Forensic Mental Health Research Unit, Rampton Hospital, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 OPD, England
Raymond Travers
Affiliation:
Forensic Mental Health Research Unit, Rampton Hospital, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 OPD, England
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders. Methods to alleviate its symptoms range from ‘talking therapies’ to pharmaceutical interventions. Our objective was to carry out a systematic review of the effectiveness of sertraline, an SSRI, as a treatment for PTSD.

Method: Databases were searched to identify relevant research on sertraline as a treatment for PTSD.

Results: Five randomised control trials were identified, along with seven open trials and case series studies.

Conclusions: The review and meta-analysis supported the use of sertraline for PTSD though further research on sub-group differences (eg. gender) is required.

Keywords

PTSDSertralineSystematic reviewMetaanalysis
Type
Reviews
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , September 2004 , pp. 100 - 103
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Raphael, B. When Disaster Strikes: A Handbook for Caring Professionals. London: Hutchinson, 1986Google Scholar
2.Kessler, R, Somnnega, A, Bromet, E, and Nelson, C. Post traumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Institute for Social Research, 1993Google Scholar
3.Wessely, S, Rose, S and Bisson, J. Brief psychological interventions (‘debriefing’) for trauma- related symptoms and the prevention of post traumatic stress disorder. The Cochrane Library, Oxford: Update Software, 2000; 3Google ScholarPubMed
4.Friedman, MJ. Neurobiological alterations in PTSD. In: Giller, EL, Weisaeth, L (eds). Bailliere's Clinical Psychiatry International Practice and Research. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. 1996; 2: 2Google Scholar
5.Brady, KT, Sonne, SC, Roberts, J. Sertraline treatment of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence. M J Clin Psychiat 1995; 56: 502–505.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Rapaport, MH, Endicott, J, Clary, C. Post traumatic stress disorder and quality of life: results across 64 weeks of sertraline treatment. M J Clin Psychiatry 2002; 63(1): 59–65CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Smajkic, A, Weine, S, Djuric-Bijedic, Z, Boskailo, E, Lewis, J, Pavkovic, I. Sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine in refugee post traumatic stress disorder with depression symptoms. J Traumatic Stress 2001; 14(3): 445–452CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Davidson, J, Pearlstein, T, Londborg, Pet al.Efficacy of sertraline in preventing relapse of posttraumatic stress disorder: results from a 28-week double-blind placebo controlled study. Am J Psychiat 2001; 158: 1947–1981CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Londborg, PD, Hegel, M, Goldstein, Set al.Sertraline treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: results of 24 weeks of open-label continuation treatment. J Clin Psychiat 2001; 62(5): 325–331.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Davidson, J, Rothbaum, B, van der Kolk, BA, Sikes, CR, Farfel, GM. Multicenter, double-blind comparison of sertraline and placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Arch Gen Psychiat 2001; 58(5): 485–492CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Bueltni, , Doruk, A, Yetkin, S, Aydin, H. The efficacy of sertraline on post traumatic stress disorder. Klinik Psikofarmakoloji 2001; 29(1): 47–52Google Scholar
12.Kropp, S, Schlimme, J, Schneider, U. Psychotic depression, subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalography and holocaust conditioned posttraumatic stress disorder. Aust NZ J Psychiat 2001; 35(1): 129Google Scholar
13.Brady, K, Pearlstein, T, Asnis, GMet al.Double-blind placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of sertraline treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. JAMA 2000; 283: 1837–1844.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Rothbaum, BO, Ninan, FT, Thomas, L. Sertraline in the treatment of rape victims with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Traumatic Stress 1996; 9: 865–871.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Zohar, J, Amital, D, Miodownik, C, Kotler, M, Bleich, A, Lane, R, Austin, C. Double-blind placebo-controlled study of sertraline in military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacology 2002; 22(2): 190–195CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Ferenc, M. Posttraumatic stress disorder – neurobiology, symptoms and pharmacological treatment. Psychiatrica Hungarica 2000; 15(3): 276–293Google Scholar
17.Dow, B, Kline, N. Antidepressant treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression in veterans. Ann Clin Psychiatry 1997; 9(1): 1–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Stein, DJ, Zungu-Dirwayi, N, van der Linden, GJH. Seedat, S. Pharmacotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (Cochrane Review). The Cochrane Library, 4. Oxford: Update Software, 2000Google Scholar
19.Davidson, J, Landerman, LR, Farfel, GM, Clary, CM. Characterising the effects of sertraline in posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychol Med 2002; 32(4): 661–670CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20. Not just emerging from depression…but staying on track. Lustral prescribing information pamphlet, Pfizer Ltd. 2002Google Scholar
21.Davis, LL, English, BA, Ambrose, SM, Petty, F. Pharmacotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: a comprehensive review. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2001; 2(10): 1583–1595CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Sertraline: the first SSRI to be approved for the specific treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Anonymous. Drugs and Therapy Perspectives, 2001; 17(16): 1–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23.Comer, AM, Figgitt, DP. Sertraline: a review of its therapeutic use in post traumatic stress disorder. CNS Drugs 2000; 14 (5): 391–407.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24.Pearlstein, T. Antidepressant treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychiat 2000; 61 (7): 40–43Google ScholarPubMed