Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
PTSD, cortisol, memory, treatment
Brief summary
The aim of this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study is to determine the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose cortisol for symptoms of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
Interventions
DRUGCortisol
Cortisol 10 mg/d for 3 months
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Female and male patients with chronic PTSD due to adult trauma; PTSD is diagnosed according to the DSM-IV, as measured with the CAPS * Age between 18 and 60
Exclusion criteria
* History of disease states representing contraindications to glucocorticoid therapy (tuberculosis, gastritis, gastric- and duodenal ulcers, Cushing's disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, pregnancy (to exclude with a pregnancy test) and lactation, glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, thrombophilia, acute or chronic infections, hyperthyroidism, cirrhosis) * Severe or chronic somatic diseases * Topic glucocorticoid therapy (for large skin parts) * Inhaled glucocorticoids * Current psychotic, bipolar, substance-related, or severe personality disorder * Current severe depressive disorder * Severe cognitive impairment or a history of organic mental disorder * Evidence of PTSD or depression immediately prior to the index trauma * Prominent current suicidal or homicidal ideation * Asylum seeking status * Body weight \>20% above or below normal range * Changes in psychopharmacologic or psychotherapeutic management less than 8 weeks before start of the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| CAPS CGI | 1 year |
Countries
Switzerland
Outcome results
None listed