NAC might help reduce OCD symptoms more than placebo after 10 weeks, but the difference wasn't quite big enough to be considered statistically significant.

Scientific Claim

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) added to citalopram shows a trend toward improving overall OCD symptom severity at week 10, with a mean difference of 8.4 points between groups (P=0.06), though this did not reach statistical significance.

Original Statement

“The mean difference was not statistically different between the two groups at weeks 4 and 8 (P = 0.3, and P = 0.1, respectively). However, there was a trend for statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean difference of YBOCS at week 10 (P = 0.06).”

From study:Some psychometric properties of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQLTM) in the general Serbian population

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The study design supports causal inference, but the small sample size and high dropout rate limit precision. The study states 'trend for statistically significant difference' which is appropriate for this finding.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Some psychometric properties of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQLTM) in the general Serbian population

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2017 Apr

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Some psychometric properties of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQLTM) in the general Serbian population

Score: 61

DOI: 10.1007/s11136-010-9833-z

Similar Assertions

When kids and teens with OCD take NAC along with their regular medication, their OCD symptoms get much better overall compared to those who just take the regular medication alone.

89%

Kids and teens with OCD who take NAC along with their medication feel better emotionally compared to those who just take the medication alone.

87%

Kids and teens with OCD who take NAC along with their medication have better social interactions and relationships compared to those who just take the medication alone.

87%

Adding NAC to OCD medication doesn't seem to help kids and teens with OCD move around or do physical activities better than just taking the medication alone.

86%

NAC doesn't cause more side effects than placebo when taken with OCD medication for kids and teens, with tiredness being the most common side effect in both groups.

86%