Open-Label Study of Duloxetine for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: This study sought to investigate the efficacy of duloxetine for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (DSM-IV). Methods: Twenty individuals were enrolled in a 17-week, open-label trial of duloxetine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Data were collected between March 2007 and September 2012. Study measures assessing obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, quality of life, depression, and anxiety were administered at baseline and weeks 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17. The primary outcome measures were the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Clinical Global Improvement scale. Results: For the 12 study completers, pre- and posttreatment analyses revealed significant improvements (P < .05) on clinician- and self-rated measures of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and quality of life. Among the 12 completers, more than one-half (n = 7) satisfied full medication response criteria. Intention-to-treat analyses (n = 20) showed similar improvements (P < .05) on primary and secondary study outcome measures. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that duloxetine may provide a significant reduction in symptoms for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.