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Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Published on: January 9, 2015
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Prescribing patterns in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: Retrospective, single-center study
Joshua Knebel1, M Lindsey Hedgepeth Kennedy2
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Human Psychopharmacology
|May 11, 2024
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment in the US shows varied pharmacotherapy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are most common, but benzodiazepine use is high, indicating complex prescribing patterns.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently presents with treatment resistance.
- Heterogeneity in prescribing patterns arises from patients trialing multiple medication classes with limited response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the selection and dosing of pharmacotherapy for OCD.
- To provide an overview of current prescribing trends in the United States.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic medical records at a single urban academic medical center.
- Included 295 adult patients with a primary diagnosis of OCD (DSM-5 criteria).
Main Results:
- Psychotropic pharmacotherapy was used in 93% of patients.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were most common (85%), followed by benzodiazepines (47%) and second-generation antipsychotics (37%).
- Tricyclic antidepressants (13%) and first-generation antipsychotics (2%) were least utilized.
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based guidelines are followed, but augmentation strategies show heterogeneity.
- High benzodiazepine use may relate to factors like delayed treatment effects of first-line drugs.
- Further research is needed on cultural, pharmacoeconomic, and pharmacogenomic influences on prescribing variations and outcomes.
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