Combination Therapy of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Memantine for Obsessive– Compulsive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind,Randomized,Placebo-Controlled Trials

Abstract

We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether combination therapy with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and memantine (MEM) was beneficial for the treatment of obsessive– compulsive disorder. This study included three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. MEM+SRI was superior to placebo+SRI with regard to response rate [primary outcome, n = 97; risk ratio = 0.22; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.12–0.42; p < 0.00001; I² = 0%; number needed to treat = 2], the Yale– Brown Obsessive– Compulsive Scale total [standardized mean difference (SMD) = – 4.56; 95% CI = – 8.50, – 0.62; p = 0.02], obsession subscale (SMD = – 4.39; 95% CI = – 5.94, – 2.85; p < 0.00001), and compulsion subscale score (SMD = – 4.60; 95% CI = – 7.64, – 1.55; p = 0.003). No significant differences in any safety outcome were found between the groups.