Trial Outcomes & Findings for Sequenced Treatment Effectiveness for Posttraumatic Stress (NCT NCT04597190)

NCT ID: NCT04597190

Last Updated: 2025-05-08

Results Overview

Self reported burden of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) (range 0-80, higher scores are worse)

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

700 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

4 months (Hypothesis 1)

Results posted on

2025-05-08

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Overall Study
STARTED
169
179
352
Overall Study
COMPLETED
145
150
295
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
24
29
57

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Sequenced Treatment Effectiveness for Posttraumatic Stress

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=169 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=179 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=352 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Total
n=700 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
46.6 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.1 • n=5 Participants
44.4 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.6 • n=7 Participants
44.8 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.4 • n=5 Participants
45.1 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.4 • n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Man
98 Participants
n=5 Participants
93 Participants
n=7 Participants
177 Participants
n=5 Participants
368 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Woman
44 Participants
n=5 Participants
49 Participants
n=7 Participants
119 Participants
n=5 Participants
212 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Transgender Man
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Transgender Women
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Non-binary or gender fluid
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Another identity
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Missing
25 Participants
n=5 Participants
31 Participants
n=7 Participants
51 Participants
n=5 Participants
107 Participants
n=4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
21 Participants
n=5 Participants
28 Participants
n=7 Participants
51 Participants
n=5 Participants
100 Participants
n=4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
110 Participants
n=5 Participants
105 Participants
n=7 Participants
222 Participants
n=5 Participants
437 Participants
n=4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
38 Participants
n=5 Participants
46 Participants
n=7 Participants
79 Participants
n=5 Participants
163 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
American Indian, Alaskan Native, or other Indigenous group
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Arab or Middle Eastern
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=7 Participants
12 Participants
n=5 Participants
22 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black or African American
30 Participants
n=5 Participants
28 Participants
n=7 Participants
70 Participants
n=5 Participants
128 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Multi-race
11 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
27 Participants
n=5 Participants
48 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
6 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
92 Participants
n=5 Participants
94 Participants
n=7 Participants
183 Participants
n=5 Participants
369 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Another Identity
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=7 Participants
11 Participants
n=5 Participants
23 Participants
n=4 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Missing
26 Participants
n=5 Participants
24 Participants
n=7 Participants
42 Participants
n=5 Participants
92 Participants
n=4 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
169 participants
n=5 Participants
179 participants
n=7 Participants
352 participants
n=5 Participants
700 participants
n=4 Participants
PTSD Check List (PCL-5)
53.2 units on a scale (range 0-80)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5 • n=5 Participants
52.8 units on a scale (range 0-80)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.9 • n=7 Participants
52.6 units on a scale (range 0-80)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.0 • n=5 Participants
52.8 units on a scale (range 0-80)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.1 • n=4 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 months (Hypothesis 1)

Self reported burden of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) (range 0-80, higher scores are worse)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=145 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=150 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=295 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
PTSD Symptoms
39.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.8
38.6 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.0
40.5 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 18.4

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 Months (Hypotheses 2a and 2b)

Population: Participants not responding to treatment at 4-months who completed the 8-month survey

Self reported burden of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) (range 0-80, higher scores are worse)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=52 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=54 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=124 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
PTSD Symptoms
49.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.0
42.1 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.2
44.5 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.3

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 months (Hypothesis 1)

SF-12V, Mental Health Component Summary Score (range 0-100, higher scores are better)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=145 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=150 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=293 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Mental Health Related Quality of Life: SF-12V, Mental Health Component Summary Score
34.7 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.6
34.1 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.2
32.9 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 Months (Hypotheses 2a and 2b)

Population: Participants not responding to treatment at 4-months who completed the 8-month survey

SF-12V, Mental Health Component Summary Score (range 0-100, higher scores are better)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=52 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=54 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=124 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Mental Health Related Quality of Life: SF-12V, Mental Health Component Summary Score
29.4 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.3
32.0 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.8
31.7 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 months (Hypothesis 1)

Population: Participants completing the 4-month survey

Self reported burden of depression symptoms (PHQ-9) (range 0-27, higher scores are worse)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=141 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=156 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=314 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Depression Symptoms
12.6 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.0
12.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.9
13.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 Months (Hypotheses 2a and 2b)

Population: Participants not responding to treatment at 4-months who completed the 8-month survey

Self reported burden of depression symptoms (PHQ-9) (range 0-27, higher scores are worse)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=52 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=54 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=124 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Depression Symptoms
14.3 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.4
13.4 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.7
14.6 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 months (Hypothesis 1)

Population: Participants completing the survey at 4-months

Self reported burden of anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) (range 0-21, higher scores are worse)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=144 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=149 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=290 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Generalized Anxiety Symptoms
10.7 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.5
10.4 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.2
11.2 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 Months (Hypotheses 2a and 2b)

Population: Participants not responding to treatment at 4-months who completed the 8-month survey

Self reported burden of anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) (range 0-21, higher scores are worse)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=52 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=54 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=121 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Generalized Anxiety Symptoms
12.5 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.5
11.8 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.7
12.9 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.6

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 4 months (Hypothesis 1)

Population: Participants completing the 4-month survey

Self reported severity of specific side-effects

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=53 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=54 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=126 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Number of Severe and Moderate Side Effects
2.9 Number of side-effects
Standard Deviation 2.7
2.6 Number of side-effects
Standard Deviation 2.5
2.9 Number of side-effects
Standard Deviation 2.4

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 8 Months (Hypotheses 2a and 2b)

Population: Participants not responding to treatment at 4-months who completed the 8-month survey

Self reported severity of specific side-effects

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=53 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=54 Participants
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=126 Participants
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Number of Severe and Moderate Side Effects
3.3 Number of side-effects
Standard Deviation 2.2
2.9 Number of side-effects
Standard Deviation 2.6
3.2 Number of side-effects
Standard Deviation 2.6

Adverse Events

SSRI Then Augmentation by WET

Serious events: 32 serious events
Other events: 34 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

SSRI Then Switch to SNRI

Serious events: 34 serious events
Other events: 35 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

WET Then Switch to SSRI

Serious events: 63 serious events
Other events: 60 other events
Deaths: 1 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=169 participants at risk
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=179 participants at risk
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=352 participants at risk
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Investigations
Hospitalization
0.59%
1/169 • Number of events 1 • 8 months
1.7%
3/179 • Number of events 3 • 8 months
2.0%
7/352 • Number of events 7 • 8 months
Investigations
Emergency Department Admission
0.00%
0/169 • 8 months
0.56%
1/179 • Number of events 1 • 8 months
2.6%
9/352 • Number of events 9 • 8 months
Investigations
Suicide Intent
18.3%
31/169 • Number of events 31 • 8 months
16.8%
30/179 • Number of events 30 • 8 months
13.1%
46/352 • Number of events 46 • 8 months
Investigations
Other
0.00%
0/169 • 8 months
0.00%
0/179 • 8 months
0.28%
1/352 • Number of events 1 • 8 months

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
SSRI Then Augmentation by WET
n=169 participants at risk
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment augmented by Written Exposure Therapy (WET) delivered by an integrated behavioral health consultant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine. Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session.
SSRI Then Switch to SNRI
n=179 participants at risk
Prescribers will prescribe one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will have their treatment switched to the SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor) venlafaxine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine based on patient's treatment history (i.e., failed SSRI trials due to side-effects or lack of efficacy) and preference. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine (i.e., the old drug will be tapered down while the new drug is tapering up). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers will prescribe venlafaxine.
WET Then Switch to SSRI
n=352 participants at risk
Integrated behavioral health consultants will deliver WET. Patients who do not respond to treatment by four months will be switched to one of three SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine or paroxetine). Written Exposure Therapy: Written Exposure Therapy will be delivered during six 30 minute sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation. In sessions 2-6, patients will write about the memory of their worst traumatic event for 20 minutes, with a focus on details of the event and thoughts and feelings that occurred during the event. Patients are directed to write about the same trauma memory during each session. The therapist reads the narrative between sessions to make sure instructions were followed. Feedback about the narrative is provided to the patient at the beginning of sessions 3-6. This feedback is used to prompt the patient for writing in the current session. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: Prescribers and patients choose among three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), sertraline, paroxetine, or fluoxetine. If a patient experiences problematic side effects after taking their choice of SSRI, the provider may switch them to another of the SSRI options during the first 8 weeks of follow-up. Patients on any antidepressant (including SSRIs) at enrollment will be cross-tapered over four weeks to either fluoxetine, sertraline or paroxetine.
Investigations
Increase in suicide ideation
19.5%
33/169 • Number of events 33 • 8 months
19.6%
35/179 • Number of events 35 • 8 months
17.0%
60/352 • Number of events 60 • 8 months
Investigations
Non-suicidal injury
0.59%
1/169 • Number of events 1 • 8 months
0.00%
0/179 • 8 months
0.00%
0/352 • 8 months

Additional Information

John Fortney

University of Washington

Phone: 2066856955

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place