Duloxetine for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder affects approximately 3% of the population. Treatment options include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and behavioral therapy. Duloxetine is a new SNRI. This study aims to assess the efficacy of duloxetine for the treatment of OCD.

Before subjects give written informed consent, they are made aware of alternatives to participation in this study, which can include independently seeking pharmacotherapy or cognitive behavioral treatment for OCD. Patients will then begin open-label treatment with duloxetine at 30 mg/day and will be seen again in one week (Visit 2). At Visit 2, patients will be assessed and, if they are not experiencing any significant side effects, the dose will be increased to 60 mg/day. Patients who are experiencing significant side effects at 30 mg/day will be discontinued from the study and offered standard treatment in our clinic. Patients taking 60 mg/day will then return for assessment in four weeks (Visit 3). At this time, if they are not experiencing any significant side effects, the dose will then be increased to 120 mg/day. Patients who are unable to tolerate 120 mg/day will have their dose decreased back down to 60 mg/day and will continue the trial. End of study final statistical analyses will be conducted both including and excluding these patients. Remaining assessments will be every 4 weeks (Visits 4, 5, 6). Thus, in total this is a 17-week study with 12 weeks at the high dose believed to be necessary for response.

At each visit following the initial visit, patients will be assessed using the Y-BOCS, BDI, BAI, and CGI. The Q-LES-Q will only be administered at the initial and last visit.

The study procedure is similar to standard medical treatment for OCD at MGH. Like standard care, participants start on the lowest dose of the medication and then increase that dose to the maximally tolerated level. Barring any significant side effects, the patient remains on that dose for 4-8 weeks to provide the medication with an adequate trial period. At the end of that period, efficacy would be assessed and other alternatives would be discussed.

One difference between the study and standard care is that the study will provide more assessment through verbal and written scales. This additional assessment could greatly benefit the patient as they decide between other treatment options. Another difference is that participants cannot be involved in current behavior therapy throughout the study. Many patients choose to pursue medical treatment without behavior therapy in standard care; however, in standard care, they have the option of pursuing both concurrently or pursuing just behavior therapy. If a patient wishes to pursue just behavior therapy or receive medication and therapy concurrently, then other forms of treatment at MGH might be more appropriate. If they only want medical treatment, the study is similar to standard care at a lower cost.