Placebo-controlled, randomized trial of fluoxetine in the treatment of aggression in male intimate partner abusers

Abstract

The objective was to determine the efficacy of treating aggressive behavior in men, with a history of intimate partner abuse, with fluoxetine. Twenty-six men with a history of intimate-partner-abusing behavior entered a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of fluoxetine (20-60 mg by mouth per day). The primary outcome measure was the Aggression score from the overt aggression scale-modified (OAS-M). Fluoxetine-treated patients (n=13) did not differ from placebo-treated patients (n=13) on any key demographic or behavioral variables. Although a significant 'pre-post' reduction in OAS-M Aggression score was noted in all patients, no drug-placebo differences for OAS-M Aggression scores were seen in any analysis. Despite the small sample, these results do not support the hypothesis that treatment with an SSRI is associated with a reduction in aggressive behavior among men with a history of intimate partner abuse.