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Pharmacopsychiatry 2017; 50(02): 56-63
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-112818
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Real-world Effectiveness of Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia with Predominantly Negative Symptoms

Diego Novick
1   Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, Surrey, UK
,
William Montgomery
2   Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd, West Ryde, Australia
,
Tamas Treuer
3   Neuroscience Research, Eli Lilly and Company, Budapest, Hungary
,
Maria Victoria Moneta
4   Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
,
Josep Maria Haro
4   Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 11 June 2015
revised 25 May 2016

accepted 11 July 2016

Publication Date:
16 February 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction

This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia presenting with prominent negative symptoms and no-to-mild positive symptoms.

Methods

Data were taken from a 3-year prospective, international, observational study (n=17 384). This post-hoc study focused on 3 712 patients who started antipsychotic monotherapy and had moderate-to-severe negative symptoms and no-to-mild positive symptoms (Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale [GGI-SCH]). Patients were classified into 3 treatment cohorts: olanzapine, other atypicals and typicals. Multiple regression analyses were performed.

Results

All treatment groups experienced improvement in negative symptoms and social functioning during follow-up. The adjusted mean change in the CGI-SCH negative symptoms scores during follow-up was greater for olanzapine-treated patients by 0.220 (p<0.001) (vs. other atypicals) and by 0.453 (p<0.001) (vs. typicals). Olanzapine-treated patients were also most likely to achieve response of negative symptoms and improvement in social functioning, and to stay on the initial medication longer.

Discussion

Patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics experienced improvement in negative symptoms and social functioning during follow-up. Olanzapine appeared to be more effective compared with other antipsychotics.

Key words

antipsychotics - negative symptoms - schizophrenia - SOHO
 

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