An Open Study Examining the Diagnosis of Anxiety and the Use of Buspirone in a Primary Care Environment

The acceptability and tolerability of buspirone were assessed in 100 anxiety patients in 6 typical family practice centres. Diagnosis of anxiety was performed by the family physicians in their normal practice in order to create a representative sample of anxiety patients from a family practice environment. Standard anxiety assessments (e.g. Hamilton Anxiety Scale and final global assessments) were performed before, during and after 4 weeks’ treatment with buspirone. The family physicians’ diagnosis of anxiety matched DSM III criteria in 86% of cases. Many anxiety symptoms manifested concurrently; 14 symptoms each occurred in 60% of the patients. The mean final dosage of buspirone was 20.7 mg/day with a range of 7.5 to 60 mg/day. Global impressions indicated 70% of the patients were improved at least moderately by buspirone. Physician and patient final assessments showed 84 and 90% of patients, respectively, benefitted from treatment. Hamilton anxiety scores (total) were improved by 46% at week 4. Adverse effects were consistent with known labelled reactions, e.g. nausea, headache and dizziness. No adverse effects were evident in over 50% of patients. Buspirone was equal to or better than prior anxiolytic treatment in 60% of patients.