Research aim: To examine differences in the effects of venlafaxine and sertraline on PTSD, depression and functional impairment in trauma-affected refugees.

Design: Randomised controlled trial

Population: 207 trauma-affected refugees referred to treatment at CTP

Methods: Patients were randomised into one of the two treatment groups: a Sertraline group or a Venlafaxine group. Patients in both groups received the same manual-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, specially adapted to this group of patients. The trial endpoints were PTSD-and depression symptoms and social functioning, all measured using validated ratings scales.

Furthermore, the study examined the relation between expected outcome of treatment from a range of predictors and the relation to the treatment results for the individual patient.

Primary investigator: Charlotte Sonne, MD, PhD

Supervisors: Ask Elklit, Msc Psychology, PhD, Erik Lykke Mortensen, Per Bech, MD, PhD, Jessica Carlsson, MD, PhD

Publications

Sonne, C., Carlsson, J., Elklit, A., Mortensen, E. L., & Ekstrøm, M. (2013). Treatment of traumatized refugees with sertraline versus venlafaxine in combination with psychotherapy–study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Trials, 14, 1-7.

Sonne, C., Carlsson, J., Bech, P., Vindbjerg, E., Mortensen, E. L., & Elklit, A. (2016). Psychosocial predictors of treatment outcome for trauma-affected refugees. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 7(1), 30907.

Sonne, C., Carlsson, J., Bech, P., Elklit, A., & Mortensen, E. L. (2016). Treatment of trauma-affected refugees with venlafaxine versus sertraline combined with psychotherapy-a randomised study. BMC psychiatry, 16, 1-13.

Sonne, C., Carlsson, J., Bech, P., & Mortensen, E. L. (2017). Pharmacological treatment of refugees with trauma-related disorders: What do we know today?. Transcultural psychiatry, 54(2), 260-280.

Sonne, C., Mortensen, E. L., Silove, D., Palic, S., & Carlsson, J. (2021). Predictors of treatment outcomes for trauma-affected refugees-results from two randomised trials. Journal of Affective Disorders, 282, 194-202.

Barhoma, M., Carlsson, J., & Sonne, C. (2024). Sertraline versus venlafaxine combined with psychotherapy in trauma-affected refugees–a follow-up study on a pragmatic randomised trial. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 78(4), 353-361.

Letter informing project participants of research results: Arabic | Danish | English | Farsi