Lorazepam in anxiety associated with chronic enteritis and ulcerative colitis.

Using a common protocol, 9 gastroenterologists assessed the comparative antianxiety efficacy of lorazepam and placebo under double-blind conditions in 48 patients with moderate to severe anxiety associated with chronic enteritis and ulcerative colitis. The initial dose of lorazepam was 3 mg per day given b.i.d., 2 mg h.s. and 1 mg a.m.; the duration of treatment was 4 weeks. The physician-rated Global and Hamilton and patient-rated 35-Item Scales were used. Efficacy was analyzed from the results of the pooled patient data. By all 3 rating scales and at virtually all times of assessment, lorazepam was associated with statistically significantly greater improvement in symptoms related to anxiety associated with chronic enteritis and ulcerative colitis than was placebo. Side effects in general were infrequent. (J Clin Psychiatry 39:[No. 10--2] 53--57, 1978).