Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2017 May;15(2):126-131. 10.9758/cpn.2017.15.2.126.

Effects of Escitalopram on Anxiety in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Kang HJ
• Bae KY
• Kim SW
• Shin IS
• Hong YJ
• Ahn Y
• Jeong MH
• Yoon JS
• Kim JM

• KMID: 2378480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2017.15.2.126

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
There are no evidence-based practices for treating anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thus, we investigated the effects of escitalopram on anxiety in this population.
METHODS
We enrolled 217 patients with ACS who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria for depressive disorders into a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Patients received either escitalopram or placebo over a 24-week period. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety subscale (HADS-A). A HADS-A score >7 was classified as an anxiety disorder. Baseline evaluations included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, such as depressive symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, and current cardiac status.
RESULTS
Independent of improvements in depression and without any differences in safety profiles, escitalopram treatment was significantly more efficacious in treating and reducing anxiety than placebo over a 24-week period.
CONCLUSION
Escitalopram can be recommended as an effective and safe treatment option for anxiety in patients with ACS.

Keyword

Acute coronary syndrome; Anxiety; Depression; Escitalopram; Double-blind study

MeSH Terms

Acute Coronary Syndrome*
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety*
Citalopram*
Depression
Depressive Disorder
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Double-Blind Method
Humans
Risk Factors
Citalopram