Review of clinical use of sertraline by family practice physicians in a small Air Force hospital

The clinical use of sertraline for 1 year in a family practice clinic in a small Air Force hospital was reviewed, Retrospective chart review showed that 85% of patients receiving five or more prescriptions for sertraline had a diagnosis of depression; the remainder were treated for chronic pain or dysthymia. The patients in the review needed dose increases (above the recommended starting dose of 50 mg qd) in nearly 50% of the cases. Clinicians using sertraline for the treatment of affective illness in the primary care setting should be aware of the likelihood for dose increases to achieve maximal clinical benefit.