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An Open-Label Clinical Trial of Nefazodone in Hypochondriasis

Received September 6, 2001; revised December 31, 2001; accepted January 17, 2002. From the Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Enns, Department of Psychiatry, PZ430 771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3N4, Canada; menns{at}cc.umanitoba.ca (e-mail).

Hypochondriasis is a common and challenging problem in general medical practice, but little research is available on pharmacotherapeutic treatment approaches. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of nefazodone in the treatment of hypochondriasis in an open-label trial. Eleven patients with a primary diagnosis of DSM-IV hypochondriasis received an 8-week trial of nefazodone with a maximum dose of 600 mg/day and a mean dose of 432 mg. Clinician and self-ratings were completed at each of six visits. Nine of the 11 patients who started the trial completed 8 weeks of treatment. Five of the nine patients completing the trial were rated as much or very much improved on the clinician-rated global improvement scale. Self-ratings indicated statistically significant improvement on the Illness Attitudes Scales—Total Score (P < .01) and the Beck Depression Inventory (P < .04), and there was a trend toward improvement on the Whiteley Index (P < .06). The results of this study suggest that nefazodone is a promising treatment for hypochondriasis. More extensive evaluation in longer open-label trials and double-blind, placebo-controlled trials would be warranted.

Key Words: Nefazodone • Clinical Trial

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