Lack of efficacy of low doses of quetiapine addition in refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND

Some studies have shown that low dose of neuroleptic addition to ongoing antiobsessive treatment might be effective in treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose quetiapine in clomipramine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.

METHOD

Eight obsessive-compulsive disorder patients who were resistant to treatment after 2 or more inadequate trials with clomipramine or serotonin reuptake inhibitor were admitted to the study. The patients were administrated on open trial of quetiapine at daily dose of 150 mg. Treatment response was assessed using the Yale-Brown Compulsive Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale.

RESULTS

Only 2 patients were partial responders, with Yale-Brown Compulsive Scale score decreases of 28% and 29%.

CONCLUSION

The results of this preliminary open trial suggest that low dose of quetiapine may not be effective in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Larger placebo-controlled trials are needed to investigate the clinical efficacy of quetiapine addition at low doses to antiobsessive treatment in treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.