Time required for initial improvement during clozapine treatment of refractory schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize better the length of time required for the onset of improvement during clozapine treatment for refractory schizophrenia, the author reanalyzed data from a naturalistic outcome study.


METHODS
Medical records of 100 adults sequentially treated with clozapine in a state hospital were reviewed through 18 months. A priori criteria were used to categorize change in a measure of global social functioning.


RESULTS
Of 73 patients who met the criteria for at least some improvement during clozapine treatment, 55 demonstrated initial improvement within 6 months, and the remainder demonstrated improvement by month 11. Response at 3 months was significantly correlated with outcome at 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Gross social improvement as measured in this study is likely to lag behind more sensitive indicators of clinical response. This study supports the notion that initial response to clozapine occurs within the first few months of treatment.
Wilson
W H
WH
Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3111, USA. wilson@OHSU.edu
D000328:Adult; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006753:Hospital Records; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003024:Clozapine