Risperidone: treatment response in adult and geriatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and side effects of risperidone in younger adult and geriatric patients.


METHODS
Open retrospective study of 102 consecutive intakes, prescribed risperidone, by a mental health team. All patients were non-hospitalized community residents. Prior to initiation of risperidone, and at termination of study period, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores were used to track progress. Variables monitored were: concurrent use of other antipsychotics, compliance, side effects, and maintenance dosage.


RESULTS
The most common DSM-IV diagnoses were schizophrenia in the younger adult group and late onset delusional disorders in the geriatric group. Compliance was good for both groups. The geriatric group demonstrated a greater treatment response which was reached at a significantly lower dosage. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of side effects. Examination of response by diagnostic category indicated that geriatric patients with late onset delusional disorder showed the best response while adults with either schizophrenia or affective syndromes also showed positive response.


CONCLUSIONS
Risperidone, at lower than recommended doses, shows promise in the treatment of late onset delusional disorders and behavior syndrome of dementia. The side effect profile was benign, as was suggested by experience in treating schizophrenia. Scientifically more rigorous prospective studies for the indications and efficacy of risperidone in late onset psychotic disorders and psychoses and behavior syndromes associated with dementing illness are overdue.
Kiraly
S J
SJ
Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society, USA.
Gibson
R E
RE
Ancill
R J
RJ
Holliday
S G
SG
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone