Prognostic subgroups for remission and response in the Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) trial

Most patients with anxiety disorders receive treatment in primary care settings. Limited moderator data are available to inform clinicians of likely prognostic outcomes for individual patients. We identify baseline characteristics associated with outcome in adults seeking treatment for anxiety disorders.

We conducted an exploratory moderator analysis from the Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) trial. In the CALM trial, 1,004 adults who met DSM-IV criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were randomized to usual care (UC) or a collaborative care intervention (ITV) of cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or pharmacotherapy between June 2006 and April 2008. Logistic regression was used to examine baseline characteristics associated with remission and response overall and by treatment condition. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses identified subgroups associated with similar likelihood of response and remission of global anxiety symptoms. Remission was defined as score < 6 on the 12-item Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-12) anxiety and somatization subscales. Response was defined as at least 50% reduction on BSI-12, or meeting remission criteria.

Randomization to ITV over UC was often the strongest predictor of outcome. Several baseline patient characteristics were associated with poor treatment outcome including comorbid depression, increased severity of underlying anxiety disorder(s) (P < .001), low socioeconomic status (perceived [P < .001] and actual [P < .05]), and limited social support (P < .001). Patient characteristics associated with particular benefit from ITV were being female (P < .05), increased depression (P < .01)/GAD severity (P < .05), and low socioeconomic status (P < .05). ROC analysis demonstrated prognostic subgroups with large differences in response likelihood.

Further research should focus on the effectiveness of implementing the ITV intervention of CALM in community treatment centers where patients typically are of low socioeconomic status and may particularly benefit from ITV.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00347269.