None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The brain chemical serotonin is involved in both anxiety and the regulation of the autonomic nervous system (the main system involved in regulating blood pressure). A dysfunction relating to serotonin may explain why anxiety and hypertension often co-occur. Individuals with both a clinical anxiety disorder (Panic Disorder) and Hypertension will be offered a routine course of the serotonergic medication Sertraline – which is a licensed treatment of anxiety disorders in Australia. Participants continue to take their usual medications throughout the study, including antihypertensives. Blood pressure is studied over a one-month period This work may result in an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which hypertension and anxiety are linked, and may provide evidence to support targeted future therapies.
Interventions
We will review subjects 14 and 28 days post exposure to low dose sertraline (expected average dose = 50mg). Sertraline will be taken as an oral tablet, once daily.
Background:
Prior to commencment of study, patients will be confirmed to have hypertension and panic disorder by a clinical psychiatrist. Diagnosing Panic disorder will involve DSM-IV classification schemes
Patient's will be prescribed sertraline for their panic disorder (which is licensed as first line treatment for panic disorder
We will review subjects 14 and 28 days post exposure to low dose sertraline (expected average dose = 50mg). Sertraline will be taken as an oral tablet, once daily. Background: Prior to commencment of study, patients will be confirmed to have hypertension and panic disorder by a clinical psychiatrist. Diagnosing Panic disorder will involve DSM-IV classification schemes Patient's will be prescribed sertraline for their panic disorder (which is licensed as first line treatment for panic disorder in australia) Patients will be recruited over a course of 3 months In relation to dose: Patients will initially start on 25mg sertraline for one week One the second week patients will take 50mg If there are no side effects and the patient is happy with the management of their panic, the dose will be maintained at 50mg. If side effects are prominent the dose can be lowered, and if the patient is not happy in the reduction in panic, the dose can be lowered. Determing dosage is at the descretion of the treating psychiatrist.
Sponsors
Professor Sean Hood
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
40 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Age >40 Male or female Diagnosed panic disorder/ anxiety disorder Diagnosed hypertension and on at least one medication for hypertension Compliant patient with access and availability to attend at least three (3) hospital sessions
Exclusion criteria
Cardiovascular Instability Hypotension Malignancy Pregnancy or Breast-feeding Involvement in another clinical trial Current DSM-IV disorder (apart from Panic Disorder) Hypersensitivity to, or currently using, any serotonergic medicines Rural or remote location, or unable to attend for at least three (3) hospital sessions
Outcome results
None listed