Pharmacologic treatment of hospitalized patients with schizoaffective disorder.
This study examined changes in the pharmacologic treatment of 70 patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder at some time during a six-year period. An increasing use of divalproex sodium and atypical antipsychotics instead of lithium and conventional antipsychotics was observed. The use of a combination of an antipsychotic and a thymoleptic medication was more common than monotherapy, and physicians tended to continue antidepressants if patients had a history of depression. Patients with a new diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder were stabilized less quickly than those with a previous diagnosis. The use of divalproex sodium and newer antipsychotics did not reduce the time to stabilization in routine clinical practice.
Flynn
Julianne
J
Department of Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Grieger
Thomas A
TA
Benedek
David M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D014635:Valproic Acid