CLINICAL EFFECTS OF BUSPIRONE IN SOCIAL PHOBIA - A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Background: The results of open pilot studies suggest that the seroton in-1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist buspirone might be effective in social phobia. Method: In the present study, the efficacy of buspirone was i nvestigated in patients with social phobia using a 12-week double-blin d placebo-controlled design. Thirty social phobic patients (DSM-IV) we re treated with either buspirone 30 mg daily or placebo. Efficacy of t reatment was measured using the Social Phobia Scale (subscores anxiety and avoidance) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. Results: Ta king a reduction of 50% or more on the Social Phobia Scale as a criter ion for clinically relevant improvement, only 1 patient on buspirone a nd 1 on placebo were classified as responder to treatment. A subjectiv e and clinically relevant improvement was reported by 4 patients (27%) on buspirone and 2 patients (13%) on placebo. There were no statistic ally significant differences between buspirone and placebo on any of t he outcome measures. Generally speaking, buspirone was well tolerated. Conclusion: The results of the study do not support the results of op en studies, in which a reduction of social anxiety and social avoidanc e was reported in patients with social phobia treated with buspirone.