Agoraphobia and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Levels between Tamoxifen and Goserelin versus Tamoxifen Alone in Premenopausal Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A 12-Month Prospective Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE: Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor antagonist used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer, which may provoke depression and anxiety and increase follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to patients. We compared anxiety and depression symptoms and FSH levels who received conventional tamoxifen alone and combination treatment of goserelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, with tamoxifen. METHODS: Sixty-four premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer were included and were assigned randomly to receive either tamoxifen and goserelin combination or tamoxifen alone for 12 months. The participants were evaluated blindly using the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Rating Scale, and the Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ). Blood FSH levels were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: A significant time×group difference was detected in the agoraphobia trends subscale of the APPQ and in FSH levels. The combination group showed significantly less increases in agoraphobia subscale of APPQ and greater decreases in FSH level than those in the tamoxifen-alone group from baseline to 12 months of treatment. No significant differences for age, tumor grade, body mass index, or family history were found at baseline between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the combination treatment of tamoxifen and goserelin resulted in less agoraphobia than tamoxifen alone in premenopausal women with breast cancer, which may associated with FSH suppression of goserelin.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Panic Disorder 2008: Initial Treatment Strategies / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The Korean Association of Anxiety Disorders developed a Korean treatment algorithm for panic disorder to help clinicians make treatment decisions. This study investigated a consensus about initial treatment strategies as part of developing a medication algorithm for panic disorders in Korea. METHODS: Based on current treatment algorithms published by the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the Canadian Psychiatric Association, we developed questionnaires about initial treatment strategies for patients with panic disorder. Fifty-four experts in panic disorder answered the questionnaires. We classified expert opinions into three categories (first-, second-, and third-line treatment strategies) by chi-square tests. RESULTS: Antidepressants and anxiolytics were recommended as first-line strategies for the initial treatment of panic disorder. A combination of medical treatment and cognitive-behavioral therapy was also recommended for more severe cases. Paroxetine, escitalopram, alprazolam, and clonazepam were preferred from among many anti-panic drugs. The mean starting dose of anti-panic drugs in the initial treatment for panic disorder was relatively lower than that for such other psychiatric illnesses as major depressive disorder. CONCLUSION: These results, reflecting recent studies and clinical experiences, may provide guidelines about initial treatment strategies for panic disorder.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Panic Disorder 2008: Consensus Regarding Treatment Strategies in Cases of Non-Responsive and Comorbid Conditions / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the consensus about treatment strategies for non-responsive and comorbid conditions in panic disorder, which represents one subject addressed by the Korean medication algorithm project for panic disorders 2008. METHODS: The executive committee developed questionnaires about treatment strategies for patients with panic disorder based on guidelines or algorithms and clinical trial studies previously published in foreign countries. This study analyzed the treatment strategies in cases of non-responsive panic disorder and comorbid conditions accompanying panic disorder. Fifty-four (68%) of 80 experts on a committee reviewing panic disorders responded to the questionnaires. We classified the consensus of expert opinions into three categories (first-line, second-line, and third-line treatment strategies) and identified the treatment of choice according using a chi-square test and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The consensus about first-line treatment strategies in cases of non-responsive panic disorder included "switch from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to venlafaxine XR or vice versa" and "clonazepam or alprazolam can be combined with another drug even from the initial period". Second-line strategies included tricyclic antidepressants (clomipramine, imipramine) and high dosages of high potency benzodiazepines (alprazolam, clonazepam). The consensus about treatment strategy in cases of comorbid disorders (e.g., depression or other anxiety disorders) recommended antidepressants combined with anxiolytics and cognitive-behavioral therapy as the treatments of choice. Antidepressants combined with anxiolytics were recommended as the first-line strategy, and antidepressant monotherapy and antidepressants combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy emerged as second-line strategies. In cases of comorbid conditions accompanying panic disorder, paroxetine was selected as the treatment of choice. Escitalopram, venlafaxine XR, sertraline, citalopram, alprazolam, and clonazepam were selected as first-line treatments and fluoxetine, mirtazapine, and imipramine were selected as second-line treatments. CONCLUSION: This study provided information about the consensus among Korean experts in regard to treatment strategies for non-responsive panic disorder and comorbid conditions accompanying panic disorder.