An international survey of reported prescribing practice in the treatment of patients with generalised anxiety disorder
2012 | journal article. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.
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An international survey of reported prescribing practice in the treatment of patients with generalised anxiety disorder
Baldwin, D. S.; Allgulander, C.; Bandelow, B.; Ferre, F. & Pallanti, S. (2012)
The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, 13(7) pp. 510-516. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/15622975.2011.624548
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- Authors
- Baldwin, David S.; Allgulander, Christer; Bandelow, Borwin; Ferre, Francisco; Pallanti, Stefano
- Abstract
- Objective. To gain insight into the experience and practice of psychiatrists in the pharmacological management of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods. Multiple-choice questionnaire completed by 501 psychiatrists (representing a 45% response rate) from 18 countries, selected by pharmaceutical company representatives to attend a scientific meeting, through having an interest in anxiety disorders. Results. Use of screening tools, routine structured diagnostic interviews, and practice guidelines was infrequent. Over one-third of patients did not receive their initial psychiatric consultation within a month after referral. A total of 45% of patients had symptoms for 2 years or longer before being diagnosed and treated. Most patients had been treated with benzodiazepines before referral. 80% of respondents always or often prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 43% serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or pregabalin (35%) as first-line treatments. The most frequently recommended second-line treatments were SNRIs (41%) and pregabalin (36%). Concentration difficulties, fatigue, excessive worrying and pain were reported as the symptoms most difficult to manage. Conclusions. Patients with GAD have frequently been treated with benzodiazepines before referral to a psychiatrist. SSRIs were the preferred first-line treatment, and SNRIs and pregabalin preferred second-line treatments. Reported practice in this sample appears largely consistent with recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.
- Issue Date
- 2012
- Status
- published
- Publisher
- Informa Healthcare
- Journal
- The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
- ISSN
- 1562-2975
- Sponsor
- Pfizer Ltd.; Lundbeck; Wyeth; Astra Zeneca; Pfizer; Servier