Surveyed Physicians Anticipate an Increase in Their Use of Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Treatment-Refractory Patients

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that surveyed physicians anticipate an increase in their use of combination therapy for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). According to the new report entitled Treatment Algorithms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, surveyed psychiatrists anticipate increased use of combination therapy will include atypical antipsychotics for treatment-refractory patients through 2012.

The report finds that serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and atypical antipsychotics will likely see the greatest growth in GAD patient share over the next two years. Fifty-five percent of surveyed psychiatrists and 52 percent of surveyed primary care physicians say they are likely or very likely to increase their first-line use of SNRIs over the next two years. Meanwhile, 40 percent of surveyed psychiatrists and 42 percent of surveyed primary care physicians indicate they will likely increase their use of atypical antipsychotics as a class in first- or second-line therapy over the next two years.

"The majority of surveyed physicians expect to increase their use of combination therapy for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, particularly in treatment-refractory patients, and about 40 percent of surveyed physicians anticipate an increase in combination therapy in the first line," said Decision Resources Analyst Amy Jassen, Ph.D. "Surveyed physicians expect that the use of benzodiazepines will decrease through 2012, owing largely to the potential for patients to become addicted to the medication. As a result, there is particular opportunity for therapies with a rapid onset of action and efficacy for somatic symptoms."

About Treatment Algorithm Insight Series

Decision Resources combines in-depth primary research with the most extensive claims-based longitudinal patient-level data from IMS LifeLink's Health Plans Claims database to provide exceptional insight into physicians' prescribing trends and the factors that drive therapy product choice, from diagnosis through multiple courses of treatment, for a specific disease.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

All company, brand or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Decision Resources