SERTRALINE EFFECTS ON DYSPNEA IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAYS DISEASE

Dyspnea can have a debilitating effect on psychosocial and physical fu nctioning in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease, Previo us research was suggested that treatment of concomitant mood or anxiet y symptoms can improve dyspnea and exercise intolerance among patients with respiratory disease. The authors report here on a case series of 7 patients with obstructive airways disease who reported improvements in dyspnea after sertraline 25-100 mg/day was added to their medicati on regimens. Four of the seven patients did not appear to meet syndrom al criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder Subjective improvements in dyspnea may have been related to relief of mood or anxiety symptoms or to direct effects on central respiratory systems. Controlled studies are needed to clarify the potential antidyspneic effects of sertaline.