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Duloxetine in treating generalized anxiety disorder in adults: A meta‐analysis of published randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials
Author(s) -
Zhang Yingli,
Huang Guoping,
Yang Shichang,
Liang Wei,
Zhang Lei,
Wang Changhong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asia‐pacific psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1758-5872
pISSN - 1758-5864
DOI - 10.1111/appy.12203
Subject(s) - duloxetine , tolerability , placebo , duloxetine hydrochloride , meta analysis , discontinuation , medicine , generalized anxiety disorder , anxiety , randomized controlled trial , confidence interval , psychiatry , psychology , adverse effect , alternative medicine , pathology
We carried out a meta‐analysis of published randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trails to assess the efficacy and tolerability of duloxetine in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods A literature search was conducted using P ub M ed, ISI W eb of S cience, M edline, C ochrane C entral R egister of C ontrolled T rials databases until O ctober 2014. The search terms used were “anxiety or anxious or generalized anxiety disorder” and “duloxetine or C ymbalta.” Meta‐analysis was conducted using R evman 5.1. A fixed‐effects model was carried out on the response rates, remission rates, and symptom improvement. Risk ratio ( RR ) and mean difference ( MD ) were calculated. The overall effect size was calculated with 95% confidence intervals ( CIs ). Results Seven studies ( n = 2,674) were found eligible for inclusion in analysis. Six studies provided data on response, which showed a significant difference between duloxetine and placebo ( n = 1,975, RR = 1.48, 95% CI , 1.34–1.63). Remission rates revealed significant superiority of duloxetine ( n = 2,399, RR = 1.60, 95% CI , 1.43–1.80). Change from baseline scores on H amilton R ating S cale for A nxiety showed a reduction in anxiety symptoms to be significantly efficient for duloxetine ( n = 1,135, MD = 3.34, 95% CI , 2.37–4.32). Duloxetine increased statistically S heehan D isability S cale total score ( n = 1,652, MD = 2.84, 95% CI , 2.08–3.60). The discontinuation of the duloxetine was not significantly different from that of the placebo. Conclusion Duloxetine is moderately effective in treating GAD with improvement in overall function and well tolerability.