Effect Of Paroxetine In Anxiety Disorder Among School Dropout Teenager In South Indian Population

ABSTRACT

Objective: Anxiety disorders are the most common group of psychiatric illnesses in children. This study is to observe the effectiveness of Paroxetine in anxiety disorder among teenagers in South India population using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and to screen the possible risk for paroxetine in anxiety disorder among teenagers. Methods: This study is a prospective observational study that was conducted for a period of 6 mo. Of 84 teenage patients with anxiety disorder assessed using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were followed-up in an outpatient psychiatric ward. Study population includes both sexes, age group between 13 to 19 y, Teenage patient receiving paroxetine for anxiety disorder were included and patients unwilling to give written informed consent or assent form were excluded. Results: Out of 84 patients the prevalence of symptoms before the drug treatment, 65 patients were falling in very severe category, which was assessed by HAM-A scale. Then reassessed with drug Paroxetine at week 4 and week 8. There was a drastic reduction in the prevalence of symptoms in week 8 than compared to week 4. A significant reduction in body weight was also observed during the study period. Among various side effects, nausea was the prominent risk found during the study. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that paroxetine is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of various types of anxiety disorder in teenagers with few side effects.