Cited by 61Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Treatment and AccessEthics in Clinical Research

GENERALIZABILITY OF CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER TO COMMUNITY SAMPLES: Research Article: Clinical Trial Results for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Hoertel, Nicolas, Le Strat, Yann, Blanco, Carlos, Lavaud, Pierre, Dubertret, Caroline·2012·Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There has been little research on the generalizability of clinical trials for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The present study examines the generalizability of pharmacological and psychotherapy clinical trials' results of individuals with DSM-IV GAD to a large community sample. METHODS: Data were drawn from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a large national representative face-to-face sample of 43,093 adults of the United States population. We applied a standard set of eligibility criteria representative of GAD pharmacological and psychotherapy clinical trials to all adults with past 12 months GAD (n = 894), and to a subgroup of participants seeking treatment (n = 329). Our aim was to assess how many participants with GAD would fulfil typical eligibility criteria. RESULTS: We found that more than seven out of 10 participants with GAD were excluded by at least one criterion. In the subgroup of GAD participants who sought treatment, the exclusion rate by at least one criterion raised to more than eight out of 10 participants with GAD. For the overall sample and the treatment-seeking subsample, having a current depression was the criterion excluding the highest percentage of individuals. Having a lifetime history of bipolar disorder, a current significant medical condition, a current diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence, and a social or specific phobia also excluded a substantial proportion of individuals in both samples. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trials exclude a majority of adults with GAD. Clinical trials should carefully consider the impact of eligibility criteria on the generalizability of their results.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Brawman-Mintzer O, Knapp RG, Rynn M, et al. Sertraline treat- ment for generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67:874- 881.
  2. Woodward R, Jones RB. Cognitive restructuring treatment: a con- trolled trail with anxious patients. Behav Res Ther 1980;18:401- 407.
  3. Barlow D, Cohen AS, Waddell MT, et al. Panic and gener- alized anxiety disorder: nature and treatment. Behav Therapy 1984;15:431-449.

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Authors
Hoertel, N., Le Strat, Y., Blanco, C., Lavaud, P., & Dubertret, C.
Affiliations
  • Inserm (FR)
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
  • Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (FR)
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Published
2012-04-11
Volume
29
Issue
7
Pages
614-620
ISSN
1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1864597211
Cited by
61
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 1
FWCI
10.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ethics in Clinical Research
Keywords
generalized anxiety disorder, generalizability of trial results, inclusion and exclusion criteria, community sample, treatment-seeking patients, comorbid depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol abuse and dependence, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy
MeSH terms
Anxiety Disorders, Clinical Trials as Topic, Health Surveys, Humans, Psychotherapy, Psychotropic Drugs, United States, Patient Selection

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