Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Venlafaxine in refugee posttraumatic stress disorder with depression symptoms
Abstract
Three new antidepressants were used in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of depression in Bosnian refugees. Thirty‐two Bosnian refugees seeking treatment at a mental health clinic participated in a case series study. All received open trials of Sertraline (n = 15), Paroxetine (n = 12), or Venlafaxine (n = 5), with standard clinical doses. Overall, Sertraline and Paroxetine produced statistically significant improvement at 6 weeks in PTSD symptom severity, in depression, and in Global Assessment of Functioning. Venlafaxine produced improvement in PTSD symptom severity and in Global Assessment of Functioning did not yield improvement in symptoms of major depressive disorder, and had a high rate of side effects. Notwithstanding improvement of symptoms, all 32 refugees remained PTSD positive at the diagnostic level at the 6‐week follow‐up.
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That open-label study had methodological problems (small group sizes, gender imbalance among treatment groups, short study period, no intention-to-treat analyses), making results questionable.
“However, the study had quite a few methodological problems (e.g. small groups sizes, gender imbalance among treatment groups, short study period, no intention-to-treat analyses), making results questionable.”
From Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study (2016) · cites this paper as [19]
Only one study has investigated the use of venlafaxine in trauma-affected refugees.
“To the best of our knowledge, only one study has investigated the use of venlafaxine in trauma-affected refugees [19].”
From Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study (2016) · cites this paper as [19]
In that open-label study, all 3 antidepressants produced statistically significant improvement by week 6 in PTSD symptom severity, while venlafaxine seemed less effective than the two other drugs in reducing symptoms of depression.
“All 3 antidepressants produced statistically significant improvement by week 6 in PTSD symptom severity (PTSD Symptom Scale) while venlafaxine seemed to be less effective than the two other drugs in reducing symptoms of depression.”
From Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study (2016) · cites this paper as [19]
The open-label study had 32 participants, 5 in venlafaxine treatment, and compared sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine.
“This open-label study, with a total number of 32 participants (5 in venlafaxine treatment), compared sertraline, paroxetine, and venlafaxine.”
From Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study (2016) · cites this paper as [19]
This is in line with the findings of a similar study conducted previously.
“As mentioned above, this is in line with the findings of a similar study conducted previously [19].”
From Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy - a randomised study (2016) · cites this paper as [19]
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References 13 · Cited by 89
- Authors
- Smajkic, A., Weine, S., Djuric‐Bijedic, Z., Boskailo, E., Lewis, J., & Pavkovic, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Illinois Chicago (US)
- Heartland Alliance (US)
- Corresponding author
- Smajkic, Amer
- Weine, Stevan
- ORCID
- Pavkovic, Ivan
- Venue
- Journal of Traumatic Stress
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-07
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 445-452
- ISSN
- 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6598
- OpenAlex
- W2090846151
- Cited by
- 89
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 8.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- sertraline, paroxetine, venlafaxine, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, Bosnian refugees, ethnic cleansing, antidepressants, PTSD symptom severity, Global Assessment of Functioning, adverse drug reactions
- MeSH terms
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride, Adult, Cyclohexanols, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Surveys and Questionnaires, Refugees, Severity of Illness Index, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Treatment Outcome, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Paroxetine, Sertraline
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