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Escitalopram treatment of trichotillomania.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gadde, KM; Ryan Wagner, H; Connor, KM; Foust, MS
Published in: Int Clin Psychopharmacol
January 2007

With the understanding that serotonergic drugs might curb compulsive hair pulling, we conducted a preliminary investigation examining the effectiveness of escitalopram, a potent and selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, in the treatment of trichotillomania. Twenty women meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV-Text revision criteria for trichotillomania participated in a 12-week open-label trial of treatment with escitalopram 10-30 mg/day. Response was prospectively defined as meeting the following criteria: (i) clinician version of clinical global impressions-improvement scale score of 1 or 2 (very much improved or much improved), and (ii) > or =50% reduction from baseline in the National Institute of Mental Health trichotillomania severity scale total score. Sixteen individuals, who had at least one postbaseline assessment, were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Eight individuals (50%) were judged to be responders. Trichotillomania severity scale mean (SE) total score decreased significantly over time in the intention-to-treat analysis [15.4 (0.9)-9.4 (1.4); F=7.3; P<0.0001] and for completers [15.8 (1.0)-7.5 (1.2); F=10.1; P<0.0001]. Side effects were mild. Escitalopram treatment for 12 weeks led to significant improvement of trichotillomania in some patients in this small open-label trial.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Int Clin Psychopharmacol

DOI

ISSN

0268-1315

Publication Date

January 2007

Volume

22

Issue

1

Start / End Page

39 / 42

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Trichotillomania
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Prospective Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

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Gadde, K. M., Ryan Wagner, H., Connor, K. M., & Foust, M. S. (2007). Escitalopram treatment of trichotillomania. Int Clin Psychopharmacol, 22(1), 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1097/YIC.0b013e3280113d2b
Gadde, Kishore M., Harry Ryan Wagner, Kathryn M. Connor, and Mariko S. Foust. “Escitalopram treatment of trichotillomania.Int Clin Psychopharmacol 22, no. 1 (January 2007): 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1097/YIC.0b013e3280113d2b.
Gadde KM, Ryan Wagner H, Connor KM, Foust MS. Escitalopram treatment of trichotillomania. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jan;22(1):39–42.
Gadde, Kishore M., et al. “Escitalopram treatment of trichotillomania.Int Clin Psychopharmacol, vol. 22, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 39–42. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/YIC.0b013e3280113d2b.
Gadde KM, Ryan Wagner H, Connor KM, Foust MS. Escitalopram treatment of trichotillomania. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jan;22(1):39–42.

Published In

Int Clin Psychopharmacol

DOI

ISSN

0268-1315

Publication Date

January 2007

Volume

22

Issue

1

Start / End Page

39 / 42

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Trichotillomania
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Prospective Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Female