Pharmacotherapy to prevent PTSD: Results from a randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial in physically injured patients

Acute physical injury is frequently associated with mental health sequelae, which then accentuate disability and worsen functional outcomes. A pharmacological prevention approach to this problem has been proposed. This proof‐of‐concept study was a double‐blind, randomized controlled trial of 14 days...

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Published inJournal of traumatic stress Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 923 - 932
Main Authors Stein, Murray B., Kerridge, Carol, Dimsdale, Joel E., Hoyt, David B.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germantown Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.12.2007
Wiley
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Amines - administration & dosage
Amines - therapeutic use
Anti-Anxiety Agents - administration & dosage
Anti-Anxiety Agents - therapeutic use
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Biological and medical sciences
California
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids - administration & dosage
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids - therapeutic use
Female
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - administration & dosage
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - therapeutic use
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Placebos
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Propranolol - administration & dosage
Propranolol - therapeutic use
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - prevention & control
Vasodilator Agents - administration & dosage
Vasodilator Agents - therapeutic use
Wounds and Injuries - drug therapy
Wounds and Injuries - psychology
California
Human
Chemotherapy
Treatment
Posttraumatic syndrome
Anxiety disorder
Pharmacotherapy
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Physical injury
Stress
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Summary:Acute physical injury is frequently associated with mental health sequelae, which then accentuate disability and worsen functional outcomes. A pharmacological prevention approach to this problem has been proposed. This proof‐of‐concept study was a double‐blind, randomized controlled trial of 14 days of the beta‐blocker propranolol (n = 17), the anxiolytic anticonvulsant gabapentin (n = 14), or placebo (n = 17), administered within 48 hours of injury to patients admitted to a surgical trauma center. Of 569 accessible, potentially eligible subjects, 48 (8%) participated. Outcomes assessments were conducted at 1, 4, and 8 months postinjury. Although well tolerated, neither study drug showed a significant benefit over placebo on depressive or posttraumatic stress symptoms. Implications are discussed for future pharmacological prevention studies in survivors of acute traumatic injury.
Bibliography:ark:/67375/WNG-SPDJ68M5-1
ArticleID:JTS20270
This work was supported by NIMH grants MH62037 (R21) and MH64122 (K24) to MBS. We are indebted to the nurses and physicians of the UCSD Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma for their support and assistance. We also thank Jitender Sareen, MD FRCPC, and Soraya Seedat, MBBS, for their help during the start-up phase of this project, Reena Deutsch, PhD, for her statistical guidance, and Naomi Breslau, PhD, for her advice and support.
istex:40F657C0C2BF1DD5E05DDFA0DC4925B290467259
This work was supported by NIMH grants MH62037 (R21) and MH64122 (K24) to MBS. We are indebted to the nurses and physicians of the UCSD Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma for their support and assistance. We also thank Jitender Sareen, MD FRCPC, and Soraya Seedat, MBBS, for their help during the start‐up phase of this project, Reena Deutsch, PhD, for her statistical guidance, and Naomi Breslau, PhD, for her advice and support.
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
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ISSN:0894-9867
1573-6598
DOI:10.1002/jts.20270