[The effect of antidepressants and sedatives on the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy in groups in primary care]. / Ahrif thunglyndislyfja og roandi lyfja a arangur af osertaekri hugraenni atferlismedferd hopa i heilsugaeslu.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and SSRI/SNRI antidepressants have proven to be effective treatments for anxiety and depression. The gain from combined CBT and antidepressant therapy has in some studies been greater than from monotherapy. Benzodiazepines may interfere with the efficacy of individual CBT-treatment. We examined the effects of SSRI/SNRI antidepressants and the effects of benzodiazepines/z-drugs on the efficacy of group CBT (gCBT) in primary care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primary outcome measures were the Beck's Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores before treatment and after the last session. The last observed score was carried forward and compared to the initial score for each individual, irrespective of the timing of the last score (LOCF). Mean change of scores was compared between groups of individuals on or not on SSRI/SNRI antidepressants and/or benzodiazepines/z-drugs. RESULTS: Over three years 557 subjects participated in a 5 week-long gCBT. Of these 355 returned BDI-II and 350 returned BAI at least twice. The mean score on SSRI/SNRI or benzo/z-drugs fell significantly both for those on combined treatment (medication and gCBT) and those who only received gCBT. Combined treatment with SSRI/SNRI and gCBT led to a greater fall in depressive symptoms compared to gCBT monotherapy. The efficacy of such combined treatment was less for those who also were prescribed benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Group CBT significantly improved symptoms of anxiety and depression in primary care. The improvement was not reduced by concomitant use of SSRI/SNRI antidepressants nor of benzodiazepines/z-hypnotics. The use of such medication is therefore not contraindicated for gCBT participants, at least not short term. Adding SSRIs or SNRIs to gCBT led to greater efficacy in reducing depressive symptom though the efficacy of such combined treatment was less for those who were also prescribed benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics.

[Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in adults]. / Gagnsemi hugrænnar atferlismedferdar vid lyndis-og kvídaröskunum hjá fullordnum.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents that form of psychotherapy which has most research data to build on in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders for adults. In this review we will introduce CBT and present the results of pertinent outcome research. Efficacy at the end of treatment is discussed, as well as long term effectiveness and the efficacy of combined treatment with medication and CBT. In addition, we discuss the pros and cons of group CBT compared to CBT in individual format, and comorbidity of mental disorders. According to this review CBT is efficacious for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia and specific phobia. Efficacy of CBT is equal to or better than efficacy of drugs in the treatment of the above disorders, but there is less access to CBT. Longterm effectiveness of CBT appears to be good, but research on combined treatment is yet in its infancy and conclusions are premature on its place in treatment. Key words: Cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotropic treatment, efficacy, long-term effects, combined treatment, mental disorders, adults.