Lack of gender differences in neuroleptic response in patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to determine if there were gender differences in neuroleptic response in male and female patients with schizophrenia who were matched for clinical and demographic variables and participated in a double-blind trial of traditional antipsychotic drugs.


METHODS
24 males (m) and 20 females (f) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who did not differ in clinical characteristics (age of onset, course of illness, prior hospitalizations, premorbid functioning) participated in an extended drug-free period followed by a neuroleptic trial under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions.


RESULTS
Males and females showed significant improvement in total, positive and negative BPRS symptoms during neuroleptic treatment. However, there were no significant differences in treatment response between sexes. No sex differences were found in baseline drug-free symptomatology, neuroleptic dose or dosage by weight.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no significant sex differences in neuroleptic treatment response in male and female patients well-matched for clinical, treatment and demographic characteristics. Methodological issues which distinguish this study from prior studies reporting gender differences in neuroleptic response are examined.
Pinals
D A
DA
Experimental Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Malhotra
A K
AK
Missar
C D
CD
Pickar
D
D
Breier
A
A
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents