[Long-term relapse prevention with risperidone in 215 schizophrenic patients].
BACKGROUND
A total of 215 schyzophrenic patients according to DSM-IV criteria in treatment on risperidone were included in an open label postmarketing surveillance 18 months study to evaluate safety and effectivity of the drug in preventing relapses.


METHODS
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Global Functional Assessment Scale and the Clinical Global Impression were used to assess. Safety was evaluated by the UKU subscale for neurological side effects.


RESULTS
A 82.1% of the patients continued risperidone medication without relapse during the 18 month period. Risperidone was used at a mean dosage of 5.69 2.41 mg/d.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients improved psychotic symptoms and global activity, and significant reductions were observed in mean total UKU subscale for neurological side effect score. 91.7% of the patients did not report any adverse event; only 2 (1.2%) patients dropt out because of intolerance.
Udina Abelló
C
C
Hospital General de Cataluña. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Roca Bennasar
M
M
Octavio Del Valle
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone