An open-label trial of venlafaxine in body dysmorphic disorder

Andrea Allen, Sallie Jo Hadley, Alicia Kaplan, Daphne Simeon, Jennifer Friedberg, Lauren Priday, Bryann R. Baker, Jennifer L. Greenberg, Eric Hollander

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a preoccupation with imagined ugliness, is a disabling condition that seems to respond preferentially to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This open-label trial examines venlafaxine's efficacy in BDD and is the first known study of this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor in BDD. Methods: A total of 17 BDD patients 16-65 years of age entered and 11 completed a 12-16 week open-label trial of venlafaxine. Participants were treated with venlafaxine until a therapeutic dose (minimum of 150 mg/day) was reached and then maintained at that dose for 8 weeks. Key outcome measures were the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale. Results: Venlafaxine was found to be effective in lessening the specific symptoms and global severity of BDD. Paired t-tests were used to compare baseline and final ratings on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder total, obsessions, and compulsions scores; by this measure venlafaxine significantly reduced BDD symptoms overall (P=.012), as well as obsessions (P=.034) and compulsions specifically (P=.021). A single sample t-test, comparing final Clinical Global Impressions-improvement scale ratings to "no change" (score: 4) found significant improvement following treatment. Conclusion: Venlafaxine may be an effective treatment for BDD, including both obsessive and compulsive symptoms. Controlled research on venlafaxine in BDD is recommended.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)138-144
Number of pages7
JournalCNS spectrums
Volume13
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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