Effects of celecoxib augmentation of antidepressant or anxiolytic treatment on affective symptoms and inflammatory markers in patients with anxiety disorders: exploratory study.

Prolonged stress has been associated with elevated levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib exert anti-inflammatory effects and may enhance the response to antidepressant drug treatment in patients with depressive disorders, but their effect on anxiety symptoms in patients with anxiety disorders is uncertain. Patients with a primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, with stabilised symptoms, underwent either 6 weeks of celecoxib augmentation of continued treatment (n = 18) or continued 'treatment as usual' (n = 9).

Hair cortisol concentration in anxiety disorders: exploration of relationships with symptom severity and inflammatory markers.

Background: Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) can be used to periodically assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, and appears correlated with prolonged exposure to stress.

Methods: Serial assessment (at Baseline, Week 6 and Week 12) of participants (n = 35) with anxiety disorders by psychopathological rating scales, with assays of HCC and levels of peripheral anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Patients underwent antidepressant treatment for an initial 6 weeks, followed by cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (celecoxib) augmentation or 'treatment as usual' for a further 6 weeks.

Lithium and sexual dysfunction: an under-researched area.

Objective: Lithium treatment remains an important part of the management of many patients with bipolar disorder, but the incidence of treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction with lithium is uncertain, and little is known about how it might be managed.

Method: Systematic computerised literature search of preclinical and clinical studies.

Results: Thirteen relevant papers were identified.

Treatment with citalopram, but not with agomelatine, adversely affects sperm parameters: a case report and translational review.

Background: Adverse effects of antidepressant drug treatmenton sexual function are well documented but the effects of antidepressants on sperm production have not been researched extensively.

Methods: A narrative of an interventional case report of sperm parameters in a 30-year-old Caucasian man with a diagnosis of mixed depressive and anxiety disorder, who underwent citalopram treatment, followed by agomelatine treatment. Clinical observations prompted a review of the pre-clinical and clinical literature on the effects of antidepressant administration or treatment on sperm production and parameters.

Investigation of cortisol levels in patients with anxiety disorders: a structured review.

Anxiety disorders are common and distressing medical conditions, which typically arise in adolescence or early adult life. They can persist for many years, reducing quality of life, limiting academic and occupational achievement, and being responsible for considerable economic pressures. Although a range of psychological and pharmacological treatments are available, their success is often limited, and many patients remain troubled by significant symptom-related disability for long periods.