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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Clinical and psychosocial remission amongst persons with schizophrenia is nowadays a defined goal of treatment. This necessitates incorporating quantifiable psychosocial variables with traditional symptomatic data. We aimed to assess clinical and psychosocial remission in schizophrenia in a large cohort of community dwelling persons with schizophrenia. We emphasized between-groups comparison of antipsychotic medications and administration methods on the outcome of remission. METHODS: Psychiatric case managers rated psychosocial remission using the PsychoSocial Remission Scale (PSRS) and clinical remission using the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group symptomatic remission criteria (RSWG). Ratings were performed for persons with schizophrenia they have been treating for 6 months or more. Data as to gender, age and pharmacological treatment of each patient were also collected. RESULTS: Of 445 participants who completed the survey, 268 (60%) were evaluated by psychiatrists, 161 (36%) by nurses and 16 (4%) were evaluated by social workers. Patients mean age was 43.4 + 13.1 years; 61% were men and 39% were women. Antipsychotic treatments were as follows: Per-os (PO) 243 (55%), IM long-acting typical antipsychotics (LAT) 102 (23%) and IM long-acting risperidone (RLAI; Consta) 100 (22%). Overall, 37% of patients achieved symptomatic remission and 31% achieved psychosocial remission. Rates of symptomatic remission were significantly higher in patients treated by LAT and RLAI compared with PO (51% and 48% vs., 29% respectively, p = 0.0003). Rates of psychosocial remission were also significantly higher in patients treated by LAT and RLAI compared with PO (43%% and 41% vs., 24% respectively, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In a large national sample a third of persons with schizophrenia were in remission. IM long acting preparations were associated with higher remission rates. Treatment choice may thus influence rates of remission in persons with schizophrenia.
BMC Psychiatry 08/2012; 12(1):108. · 2.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BPD) in the elderly is probably heterogeneous and its etiopathogenesis is complex. The data for the treatment of late-life BPD are limited. Asenapine is approved in the United States for acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder with or without psychotic features. AIM: We report the results of acute treatment with asenapine in elderly patients with BPD. METHOD: Elderly patients (N=11), mean age: 67.7±6.1 years, consecutively admitted to the psychogeriatric ward due to acute bipolar mania were treated by asenapine 10mg/BID monotherapy for 4 weeks. Safety and tolerability assessments included adverse events (AEs), laboratory values, and anthropometric measures. Response, a secondary assessment, was measured as change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) total score from baseline to week 4. RESULTS: One patient developed a rash on day 6 of treatment and one patient developed peripheral edema on day 14 of treatment. Both AEs resolved rapidly following discontinuation of asenapine. Only mild sedation was reported by three patients. In all cases, mean (±SD) change (improvement) in YMRS total score at week 4 was -21.4±12.9 and 7/11 (63.6%) of patients remitted (YMRS≤12). CONCLUSION: In this small open-label study of elderly patients with bipolar mania, acute treatment with asenapine was well tolerated and effective.
Journal of affective disorders 08/2012; · 3.76 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic debilitating disease. MS is associated with high rates of depression and dissatisfaction
with life. “Positive psychology,” (PoP) has endeavored to better understand happiness, meaning in life and how these can be
developed. There is a growing interest amongst clinicians and consumers in happiness and personal growth as indicators of
patients’ well-being. To evaluate happiness and personal growth in treated relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients compared with
age and gender matched healthy subjects. The Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS) and
the Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS) were completed by 105 RR-MS patients [70 females, mean age 44.4±13.3years,
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.6±2.3] and 87 healthy subjects (66 females, mean age 39.7±11.5years). Scores
were correlated with disease and treatment related parameters. All patients were treated for at least 6months with interferon-beta-1a
(Rebif). Mean happiness scores in MS patients for the OHI (103.1±17.0), the SLS (23.9±6.8) and the PGIS (40.1±7.6) were
not statistically different from those of healthy subjects. Categorical analysis of the SLS demonstrated a different distribution
wherein more MS patients were in the “dissatisfied” subgroup (SLS score<20) as compared to healthy subjects (24.8% vs. 12.6%,
p=0.045), while rates were similar in the extremely satisfied subgroup (SLS≥30). Happiness was scored similarly in treated
RR-MS patients and healthy subjects despite a greater percentage of patients reporting being dissatisfied with their lives.
These findings may reflect positive treatment effects, hedonic adaptation or their combination.
KeywordsMultiple sclerosis–Happiness–Interferon-beta-1a
Journal of Happiness Studies 04/2012; 12(5):887-895. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Approximately 50% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) do not respond after adequate first-line treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Special interest is paid to whether specialist level inpatient psychiatric care results differ from community studies.
To compare switching alternatives after treatment failure with an SSRI; switching to venlafaxine (Dexcel Pharma Israel) versus switching to another SSRI in depressed inpatients.
A retrospective register study of inpatients was undertaken in a psychiatric tertiary care university center serving an urban catchment area in Israel with a population of more than 900,000.
A total of 401 MDD inpatients were assigned to antidepressant treatment. Of these, 232 records (47 venlafaxine, 185 SSRI) were included in the analysis. Patients assigned to venlafaxine treatment were older (mean age 64.3 ± 15 years versus 53.6 ± 17; p<0.01) and had more comorbid physical disorders (80% versus 57%; p<0.001). In the primary analysis, there was no statistical difference between groups in reduction in CGI-S total scores. The secondary end point of achieving a CGI-S score of 2 or less (1 = normal, not at all ill or 2 = borderline mentally ill) was statistically significantly better for the venlafaxine treated inpatients (P=0.02). AEs were reported less than 10% of patients in both groups.
Patients who remain severely depressed following treatment with an SSRI may gain benefit from the dual-action drug venlafaxine, rather than switching to another SSRI. These findings need to be further supported by prospective studies.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 06/2011; 35(7):1744-7. · 3.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The origin and nosological status of psychotic states first arising in late life remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic stability of brief psychoses with late-life onset.
A 10-year retrospective analysis of all records of elderly patients with a first-ever episode of psychosis was undertaken.
Of 2,072 admissions of elderly patients, 604 had their first brief psychotic disorder (International Classification of Diseases diagnoses). All "organic" psychoses were excluded. The study sample comprised 83 individuals (36 male, 47 female) with a mean ± SD age of 75.4±9.3 years (range: 65-92). Mean follow-up duration was 27.7 months (range: 6-120). Distribution of diagnoses was as follows: unspecified nonorganic psychosis (n = 71); persistent delusional disorder (n = 10); other nonorganic psychosis (n = 1); and acute and transient psychotic disorder (n = 1). At follow-up, diagnosis of very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis and switch to another brief psychotic disorder were the most frequent outcomes.
The diagnosis of a nonorganic psychosis first manifesting in the elderly is not rare in tertiary care. Diagnostic shift at follow-up of these patients is more common than conceptualized, requiring flexibility on the part of treating physicians.
Canadian geriatrics journal : CGJ. 06/2011; 14(2):30-3.
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ABSTRACT: ABSTRACTBackground: Antipsychotics are frequently used to treat psychosis, aggression and agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but safety warnings abound. Escitalopram was investigated since citalopram has demonstrated some effectiveness in AD. We compared escitalopram and risperidone for psychotic symptoms and agitation associated with AD.Methods: Inpatients with AD, who had been hospitalized because of behavioral symptoms, were recruited to a six-week randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Participants (n = 40) were randomized to once daily risperidone 1 mg or escitalopram 10 mg.Results: The NPI total score improved in both groups. Onset was earlier in the risperidone-treated group, but improvement did not significantly differ between groups by study end. Completion rates differed for escitalopram (75%) and risperidone (55%), mainly due to adverse events. There were no adverse events in the escitalopram group, while in the risperidone group two patients suffered severe extrapyramidal symptoms and four patients suffered acute physical illness necessitating transfer to general hospital.Conclusion: Escitalopram and risperidone did not differ in efficacy in reducing psychotic symptoms and agitation in patients with AD. Completion rates were higher for escitalopram-treated patients. Replication in larger trials with ambulatory patients is needed.
International Psychogeriatrics 04/2011; · 2.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Weight gain is one of the major drawbacks associated with the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia. Existing strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity amongst these patients are disappointing. Switching the current antipsychotic to another that may favorably affect weight is not yet fully established in the psychiatric literature. This meta-analysis focused on switching to aripiprazole as it has a pharmacological and clinical profile that may result in an improved weight control. Nine publications from seven countries worldwide were analyzed. These encompassed 784 schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients, 473 (60%) men and 311 (40%) women, mean age 39.4 ± 7.0 years. The major significant finding was a mean weight reduction by -2.55 ± 1.5 kgs following the switch to aripiprazole (P < .001). Switching to an antipsychotic with a lower propensity to induce weight gain needs be explored as a strategy. Our analysis suggests aripiprazole as a candidate for such a treatment strategy.
Journal of obesity 01/2011; 2011.
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ABSTRACT: Background: research focusing on incidence of cancer amongst bipolar affective disorder (BAD) is sparse. Aim: to ex-amine the incidence of cancer in a cohort of BAD inpatients. Methods: the study sample was comprised of BAD patients who had been admitted to a tertiary care mental health center during the period: 1990 to 2006. The data for the sample was cross-referenced with the National Cancer Registry. Analyses of Standardized Incidence Rates (SIR) for all organ systems malignancies were performed. Results: of 1,638 BAD patients included in the present study, 72 (0.04%) were diagnosed as suffering from co-morbid malignancy. This reflects a significantly reduced risk; SIR of 0.27 (95% CI 0.21-0.34). Reduced risk of cancer held true for both males and females (0.20 and 0.34, respectively). Nineteen women developed breast cancer; SIR = 0.42 (95% CI 0.25-0.66). Conclusions: the present study demonstrates reduced rates of cancer amongst patients suffering from BAD—with special reduction in breast cancer.
01/2011; 2.
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ABSTRACT: Background: Patients' decisions in relation to treatment depend on individual values and relevant outcomes. Presenting possible decisions by way of defaults (opt-in or opt-out) has been used to achieve desired outcomes. Our objective was to assess the impact of defaults in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the decision process related to the initiation of treatment with disease modifying drugs (DMD). Methods: MS patients were requested to accept or reject DMD treatment using either the (1) opt-in condition, where they were told that the leading treatment guideline is not to start DMD treatment after the diagnosis of MS; (2) the opt-out condition where the default was to start DMD treatment; and the (3) neutral condition that required patients to choose whether to be treated or not, with no prior information. Results: One hundred and sixteen relapsing-remitting MS patients consistently chose to fulfi ll their inclinations to start early DMD treatment. In the neutral condition 64.5% chose to initiate DMD treatment. In the opt-out condition, 81% conformed to treatment, while 19% opted-out. In the opt-in condition, 39.3% conformed not to start treatment, while 60.7% opted-in (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Taken together these fi ndings reveal that patient-physician reciprocation increases by 28.3% the rate of MS patients choosing to change the default they were presented with.
Neurology Asia 01/2011; 16:133-138. · 0.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The prevention of dementia, and particularly of Alzheimer's disease, is a major challenge for researchers and clinicians. In this article, the mixture of evidence, observations and hypotheses in the current literature is categorized into four avenues for possible preventive interventions, as suggested by the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference. The main categories are: antihypertensive medications; nutrition; cognitive engagement; and physical activity. There is, as yet, no conclusive evidence, but each category may hold promise for the prevention of dementia. The robust findings are as follows: cognitive engagement and regular physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease; the Mediterranean diet and consumption of omega-3 fatty acids deserves further elucidation; and the meticulous management of risk factors, and especially hypertension, is the infrastructure of Alzheimer's disease prevention.
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 11/2010; 10(11):1689-98.
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ABSTRACT: The prevention of dementia, and particularly of Alzheimer''s disease, is a major challenge for researchers and clinicians. In this article, the mixture of evidence, observations and hypotheses in the current literature is categorized into four avenues for possible preventive interventions, as suggested by the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference. The main categories are: antihypertensive medications; nutrition; cognitive engagement; and physical activity. There is, as yet, no conclusive evidence, but each category may hold promise for the prevention of dementia. The robust findings are as follows: cognitive engagement and regular physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer''s disease; the Mediterranean diet and consumption of omega-3 fatty acids deserves further elucidation; and the meticulous management of risk factors, and especially hypertension, is the infrastructure of Alzheimer''s disease prevention.
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 10/2010; 10(11):1689-1698.
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ABSTRACT: The co-morbid occurrence of anxiety disorders and schizophrenia has recently begun to be investigated. Social anxiety may be especially important to diagnose and manage among patients with schizophrenia.
To investigate the prevalence and correlates of social phobia in patients with schizophrenia.
Diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders as well as co-morbid anxiety disorders was established according to DSM-IV and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis (SCID-P Hebrew version). Severity of psychotic symptoms and social anxiety symptoms was assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS).
The cohort studied included 117 patients with schizophrenia. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as suffering from co-morbid social phobia (11%). There was a tendency for patients with co-morbid social phobia to have higher severity PANSS total score. There was a significant correlation between the score of the LSAS ;fear' and PANSS positive subscales. Avoidance scores were higher among patients with negative signs.
Co-morbidity of schizophrenia and social anxiety disorder is not rare among patients with schizophrenia. Treatment implications need be further investigated.
International Journal of Social Psychiatry 06/2009; 55(3):198-202. · 1.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Happiness is an emotional state reflecting positive feelings and satisfaction with life, which, as an outcome in disease states or as an end point in clinical trials, is a neglected concept in most therapeutic areas. In neurological disease, happiness is important as it can be diminished either as a direct result of damage to neuronal tissue or as a reaction to a poor prognosis. The monitoring and maintenance of happiness and wellbeing have historically been considered to be peripheral to medicine. However, as happiness interacts with the patient's physical health, it is an important parameter to assess alongside all aspects of any given disease. Happiness provides a reliable overview of the patient's general status over and above standard parameters for quality of life, and is more wide-ranging than the narrow measures of disease activity or treatment efficacy that are the focus of most clinical trials. In many studies, happiness has been associated with health and success in most areas of life, including performance at work, sporting achievement and social functioning. For approximately a decade, previously studied aspects of psychology have been grouped under the label of positive psychology (PoP). Principles of this discipline are now being used to guide some treatments in neurological and psychiatric diseases. PoP aims to define patient wellbeing in scientific terms and to increase understanding of happiness, meaning in life, resilience and character strengths, as well as to determine how this knowledge can be applied clinically to promote health. Some evidence has emerged recently suggesting that improvements in patient status can result from interventions to improve the patient's level of happiness in diseases, including epilepsy, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and stroke. Several effective approaches to increase happiness employ activities to engage and stimulate patients who might otherwise be unoccupied and isolated. In addition, specific interventions to increase happiness developed by PoP clinicians have demonstrated efficacy and validity. Several measurement scales now exist that reliably measure happiness as a long-term state, rather than as a fluctuating condition resulting from prevailing mood. These enable the use of happiness as an end point in clinical trials. As happiness becomes increasingly accepted as an important consideration in neurological disease, it is likely to be monitored more extensively, with measures to raise happiness levels being taken as an effective means of improving patient outcomes.
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 05/2009; 9(4):445-59.
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ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia patients frequently engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. The adverse effects of sun exposure on the human skin are well studied but only sparse data in this area have been focused on schizophrenia patients.
To assess the role of sun exposure and its effects on cutaneous photoaging in schizophrenia patients compared with age-matched healthy subjects.
Skin photoaging was assessed using a modification of Glogau's classification. We developed a rating for aged appearance, applied to facial skin, dorsal hand skin, and a total integrated score. The extent of photodamage was independently evaluated by two of the investigators certified in dermatology and plastic surgery. Each rater independently estimated the subjects' age. Raters were blinded to the subjects' demographic and clinical parameters as well as to each other's ratings.
Seventy-four participants were enrolled. There were 37 patients, 24 men and 13 women, mean age: 42.7+/-9.7 years. The comparison group consisted of 20 men and 17 women, mean age: 42.4+/-9.2 years. Age, gender and BMI as well as smoking status did not differ significantly between groups. The variables found to differentiate between groups were: sun exposure, use of sunscreens, overall pigmentary changes, periorbital wrinkles and the intake of concurrent medications.
Increased cutaneous photoaging in schizophrenia patients, evidenced by reduced sun safety behaviors, and objective clinical signs of skin photodamage were demonstrated in the present study. We suggest that preventive measures like sun safety education should be undertaken by mental health professionals.
Photodermatology Photoimmunology and Photomedicine 01/2009; 24(6):291-5. · 1.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia is one of the disorders in which suicide attempts and death by suicide are pronounced. However, there is paucity of data regarding suicide attempts by schizophrenia patients. The aim of the present study was to characterize a large sample of schizophrenia patients in tertiary care who had attempted suicide.
Over a 15-year period all computerized records of admissions of adult schizophrenia patients were examined. Patients who had attempted suicide were defined as the index group and the comparison group was comprised of the next admission of a patient suffering from schizophrenia who did not attempt suicide prior to hospitalization.
There were 10,006 admissions of patients suffering from schizophrenia during the study period. Of these, 1094 (10.9%) records comprise the index group (patients who had attempted suicide), 380 women and 714 men, mean age for the group 39.6+/-12.9 years. The comparison group of patients matched for diagnosis (N=1094), consisted of 302 women and 792 men, mean age for this group was 42.9+/-13.7 years. Four variables significantly differentiated between groups. Patients who had attempted suicide were younger (39.6 vs. 42.9 years; p=0.00), higher percentage of females (34.7% vs. 27.6%; p=0.00), with increased rates of co-morbid physical illness (27.5% vs. 20.4%; p=0.00) notably cardiovascular and diabetes and with a higher rate of alcohol and drug abuse (32.1% vs. 12.4%; p=0.00).
The present study emphasizes several significant factors associated with attempted suicide amongst schizophrenia patients notably physical co-morbidity and abuse of alcohol and drugs. These need be integrated into existing risk assessment schemes thus aiding in decreasing adverse outcomes in this vulnerable group of patients.
Journal of Psychiatric Research 09/2008; 42(10):822-6. · 4.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the benefits of add-on hypnotherapy in patients with chronic PTSD. Thirty-two PTSD patients treated by SSRI antidepressants and supportive psychotherapy were randomized to 2 groups: 15 patients in the first group received Zolpidem 10 mg nightly for 14 nights, and 17 patients in the hypnotherapy group were treated by symptom-oriented hypnotherapy, twice-a-week 1.5-hour sessions for 2 weeks. All patients completed the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C, Beck Depression Inventory, Impact of Event Scale, and Visual Subjective Sleep Quality Questionnaire before and after treatment. There was a significant main effect of the hypnotherapy treatment with PTSD symptoms as measured by the Posttraumatic Disorder Scale. This effect was preserved at follow-up 1 month later. Additional benefits for the hypnotherapy group were decreases in intrusion and avoidance reactions and improvement in all sleep variables assessed.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 08/2008; 56(3):270-80. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Breast cancer is a major public health concern and the most common cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Compared with the general population, schizophrenia patients have been reported to have lower or similar rates of breast cancer despite several risk factors such as excess smoking, obesity and hyperprolactinemia. However, it has been argued that psychiatric morbidity itself may be the confounding factor that affects cancer incidence and not particularly schizophrenia.
To evaluate the frequency of breast cancer in a large cohort of female schizophrenia patients utilizing tertiary psychiatric care and to compare it with that of female inpatients with other serious mental illness (SMI).
Data were analyzed from a cohort of 2011 female schizophrenia patients and 6243 female SMI patients. All patient's records in the database were meshed with records of the Israeli National Cancer Registry to identify pathologically confirmed cancer co-morbidity. Cancer incidence rates among patients were compared with the expected incidence in age matched general population for the same time interval.
Among 2011 female schizophrenia patients, 51 (2.5%) developed breast cancer vs. 83 (1.3%) breast cancer cases amongst SMI patients. The standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for breast cancer were low for both patient groups; 0.63 (95% CI, 0.47-0.83) and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.43-0.67) (schizophrenia and SMI respectively).
The findings emphasize that reduced risk of breast cancer is found in a tertiary care cohort of female schizophrenia patients. Yet, breast and ovarian cancer screening for all women who are on long term drugs that induce weight gain or hyperprolactinemia should not be neglected. Our study emphasizes the probable contribution of environmental factors to the mechanisms responsible for this lower risk.
Schizophrenia Research 08/2008; 102(1-3):249-53. · 4.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In elderly schizophrenia patients remission is difficult to determine due to long disease duration, exposure to differing treatments, long-standing side-effects, non-adherence, cognitive decline and physical comorbidity.
Retrospective chart reviews were undertaken of 48 elderly (60+ years) schizophrenia patients admitted to a university-affiliated tertiary psychiatric center in 2006. These patients were experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms at admission. Remission criteria used were those of the American Psychiatric Association's "Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group", and clinical status and improvement were quantified using the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI).
Of 25 patients treated with long-acting risperidone (LAR), 19 (76%) continued uninterrupted treatment for 6 months or longer. In six patients treatment was discontinued due to insufficient response. The clinical severity ratings with the CGI of all patients were in the range 5-7 prior to treatment. Following six months of LAR treatment, mean dose 36.0 mg/2 weeks (range: 25-50), 18 patients were rated as "improved" or "very much improved" on the CGI-global improvement item scale. In 15/25 patients (60%) symptomatic remission was achieved.
LAR may be effective in achieving remission among elderly schizophrenia patients. Tolerability was high and adherence rates improved. However, the results must be treated with caution owing to the inherent bias in this retrospective analysis.
International Psychogeriatrics 08/2008; 20(6):1245-50. · 2.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The relationship between self-stigma and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia is receiving increased attention. However, studies to date have been limited to samples of persons under the age of 65.Aim: To examine the relationship between self-stigma and self-esteem in people with schizophrenia in both younger and older age groups.
Face-to-face interviews were completed with 86 inpatients with schizophrenia in a psychiatric hospital (mean age = 54, 55% female). Self-esteem was assessed using Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale. Self-stigma was assessed using an adapted version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Health (ISMI) scale. Information regarding socio-demographic characteristics and psychiatric history and symptomatology was collected.
Self-stigma was moderate with only 20-33% of the participants reporting high levels of stigmatization. Older participants reported lower levels of self-stigma than younger participants. A relatively strong association between self-stigma and self-esteem was found.
The findings point to the complexity of the association between self-stigma, self-esteem and age in people with schizophrenia. This study stresses the importance of clinicians taking the issue of self-stigma into consideration when treating young and old patients with schizophrenia.
International Psychogeriatrics 03/2008; 20(1):174-87. · 2.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ten elderly chronic schizophrenia patients who were not responding to an atypical antipsychotic were switched to quetiapine. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) demonstrated statistically significant improvement after 6 months of quetiapine treatment. Four patients discontinued treatment due to clinical exacerbation or sedation. There was no increase in abnormal movements or body weight.
Psychiatry Research 02/2008; 157(1-3):265-7. · 2.52 Impact Factor
