Cortisol augmentation of a psychological treatment for warfighters with posttraumatic stress disorder: Randomized trial showing improved treatment retention and outcome

The results of this pilot study suggest that hydrocortisone augmentation of PE may result in greater retention in treatment and thereby promote PTSD symptom improvement. Further, the results suggest that particularly elevated glucocorticoid responsiveness at pre-treatment may identify veterans likely to respond to PE combined with an intervention that targets glucocorticoid sensitivity. Confirmation of these findings will suggest that pharmacologic interventions that target PTSD-associated glucocorticoid dysregulation may be particularly helpful in promoting a positive clinical response to PTSD psychotherapy.