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Cited by 130Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesTreatment of Major DepressionNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

The DOI matches its Crossref record.

The efficacy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for social anxiety disorder (social phobia): a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

van der Linden, Geoffrey JH, Stein, Dan J, van Balkom, Anton JLM·2000·International Clinical Psychopharmacology
DOI 10.1097/00004850-200008002-00004
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Abstract

This article reviews all available studies on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder. Using the search methods laid out by the Cochrane Collaboration, 25 published reports of SSRI effectiveness for social anxiety disorder were identified, of which eight were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). The odds ratios of responder status ('much improved' or 'very much improved' on the Clinical Global Impression Scale) for SSRI versus placebo varied between 2.1 and 26.2. In no RCT was the lower confidence limit less than 1. The number needed to treat varied from 1.6 to 4.2. The number of patients who responded to drug was approximately twice the number who responded to placebo. Comparing the change in mean Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale score in patients treated with drug versus those treated with placebo, the effect sizes of the RCTs varied from 0.3 to 2.2. In four RCTs the effect size was 'large', in one 'moderate' and in two 'small'. Furthermore, response rates and effect sizes for SSRIs were larger than those seen in trials of the reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (RIMAs). It may be concluded with a high degree of confidence that SSRI treatment for social anxiety disorder is effective, both in reducing total levels of social anxiety and in improving patients' overall clinical condition.

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Crossref · 10.1097/00004850-200008002-00004

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Metadata

Authors
van der Linden, G. J., Stein, D. J., & van Balkom, A. J.
Affiliations
Stellenbosch University (ZA)
Corresponding author
van der Linden, Geoffrey JH
ORCID
Venue
International Clinical Psychopharmacology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2000-08
Volume
15
Pages
S15-S23
ISSN
0268-1315 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/00004850-200008002-00004
OpenAlex
W2148671897
Cited by
130
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 8
FWCI
2.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Clinical Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, social anxiety disorder, pharmacotherapy, antidepressant efficacy, placebo response, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale
MeSH terms
Clinical Trials as Topic, Drug Resistance, Humans, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

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