[Efficacy assessment of fluoxetine treatment of outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: a preliminary report].

20 obsessive-compulsive patients (OCD according to DSM IV) were treated with fluoxetine. The efficacy of the 3-month treatment was evaluated by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Rating Scale (Y-BOCS). The average of the Y-BOCS was 26.9 at the beginning of the treatment. The intensity of the OCD was radically lower after the first month of the treatment. The average of the Y-BOCS was 26.9 at the beginning of the treatment. The intensity of the OCD was radically lower after the first month of the treatment. The average of the Y-BOCS was 18.7 (difference statistically significant). The similar difference of the intensity of OCD was noticed after the second month of the treatment with fluoxetine. The average of the Y-BOCS was 12.9 (difference statistically significant). The average of the Y-BOCS after the third month of treatment with fluoxetine was only 9.1. The intensity of OCD after 3 months of treatment with fluoxetine was clinically insignificant in 60% of the patients and in 35% it was mild. The result of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale was low and was not changed statistically during 3 months, treatment with fluoxetine. The results confirm the antiobsessional activity of fluoxetine, particularly in the second month of the treatment. Fluoxetine can be very useful in the treatment of OCD.