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Therapeutics
CBT, SSRI or both are similarly effective for panic disorder 1-year post-treatment

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebmh1114

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    Question

    Question

    What is the long-term effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapy using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or the combination of both for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia?

    Patients

    150 adults with a primary diagnosis of DSM-IV panic disorder with or without DSM-III-R agoraphobia (based on Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview). The study excluded people who were pregnant, lactating, suicidal, psychotic or severely depressed.

    Setting

    11 treatment centres in the Netherlands; enrolment April 2001 to September 2003.

    Intervention

    CBT, SSRI or both for 1 year. CBT consisted of up to 21 sessions lasting 50 min. Participants receiving SSRIs had up to 12 sessions with their therapist and tapered their medication over 3 months at the end of treatment. Participants were classed as completers, dropouts or no-tapers. Those who received a minimum of 15 CBT sessions and/or eight SSRI sessions and ended treatment with therapist consent were considered completers. Dropouts received less than 1 year's treatment. No-tapers did not taper off their SSRI medication.

    Outcomes

    General aspects of anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score range 0–56, higher …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding The Dutch Health Insurance Board.

    Footnotes

    • Competing interests None.

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