Low-dose Cortisol in Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

University of Zurich (UZH)

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments

Drug: Cortisol

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00362661

PTSD-06

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study is to determine the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose cortisol for symptoms of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Enrollment

20 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 60 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Female and male patients with chronic PTSD due to adult trauma; PTSD is diagnosed according to the DSM-IV, as measured with the CAPS
Age between 18 and 60

Exclusion criteria

History of disease states representing contraindications to glucocorticoid therapy (tuberculosis, gastritis, gastric- and duodenal ulcers, Cushing's disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, pregnancy (to exclude with a pregnancy test) and lactation, glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, thrombophilia, acute or chronic infections, hyperthyroidism, cirrhosis)
Severe or chronic somatic diseases
Topic glucocorticoid therapy (for large skin parts)
Inhaled glucocorticoids
Current psychotic, bipolar, substance-related, or severe personality disorder
Current severe depressive disorder
Severe cognitive impairment or a history of organic mental disorder
Evidence of PTSD or depression immediately prior to the index trauma
Prominent current suicidal or homicidal ideation
Asylum seeking status
Body weight >20% above or below normal range
Changes in psychopharmacologic or psychotherapeutic management less than 8 weeks before start of the study