Retrospective Evaluation of the Effect of Sertralinein Different Indications in Children and Adolescents

Overview

In this retrospective study we evaluated the effect and the tolerance of sertraline in differentindications in children and adolescents treated at the Clinic of Psychiatry in Brno. Sertraline wasused in 45 children and adolescents divided into three diagnostic categories: 1. neurotic disordersand adjustment disorders, 2. eating disorders, 3. depressive disorders. The C.G.I. scale was used toquantify changes in psychopathology. 70% of the patients improved significantly and 30% improved slightly in the category of anxiety and phobic disorders. In adolescents with depressivedisorders the improvement was also significant. A distinct improvement was seen in the majorityof patients between the 2ndand the 3rdweek of treatment. The regression from psychopathologywas later clear in children with OCD, between the 4thand the 6thweek of treatment on average,the improvement of the OCD symptoms was however significant in 80% of patients.In the group of patients with eating disorders, the decline in C.G.I. score was more obvious inmental anorectics than in mental bulimics - the difference may be explained by the higher level ofinitial psychopathology in the group of mental anorectics. Adverse effects did not interrupt thetreatment in any patient.

Key words:
sertraline, children and adolescents, neurotic disorders, adjustment disorders, depressive disorders, eating disorders.