Conventional versus atypical neuroleptics: subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients.
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs against positive psychotic symptoms has been demonstrated in many studies, but their effects on quality of life have yet to be clarified. The impact of different neuroleptic therapies on the subjective quality of life of schizophrenic patients is evaluated in a cross-sectional open study.


METHODS
During a four-month period a standardised quality of life interview for schizophrenic patients was applied on day 10 after admission; 33 patients on atypical neuroleptics (AAP) were compared with 31 matched patients on conventional neuroleptics (CAP).


RESULTS
The AAP group had significantly higher scores in general quality of life as well as in different life domains: physical well-being, social life and everyday life. In separate comparisons of the AAP group, patients on clozapine and risperidone were found to have a higher quality of life score than patients on CAP or zotepine.


CONCLUSIONS
The pharmacological profile of clozapine and risperidone may provide a basis for explaining the higher subjective quality of life found in this study. The lower quality of life of the CAP group may possibly be related to intrinsic effects of the conventional antipsychotics.
Franz
M
M
Centre for Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Lis
S
S
Plüddemann
K
K
Gallhofer
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D003988:Dibenzothiepins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003988:Dibenzothiepins; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone; C022172:zotepine