Multicenter, Double-blind Comparison of Sertraline and Placebo in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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Abstract
SINCE ITS original diagnostic formulation in 1980, considerable research has been conducted on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This research has established that PTSD is common, with a lifetime prevalence in the range of 7% to 12% and a 2:1 female-to-male ratio1-3; chronic, with a median time-to-recovery in the range of 3 to 5 years1,4; and has high comorbidity, with a 6-fold increased risk, compared with community norms, of major depression, a 3-fold increased risk of alcoholism or substance abuse, an approximately 4-fold increased risk of panic disorder or agoraphobia, and an estimated suicide attempt rate of approximately 20%.1,5,6 Posttraumatic stress disorder is also associated with significant functional and psychosocial disability7,8 and notable increases in physical symptoms and health care utilization.5,9-11