title: The schizophrenia PORT pharmacological treatment recommendations: conformance and implications for symptoms and functional outcome.
abstract: This cross-sectional study examines conformance to four of the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) antipsychotic treatment recommendations, patient and treatment setting characteristics assocated with conformance, and the relationship of conformance with outcome. Two hundred twenty-four inpatients and 358 outpatients with schizophrenia underwent an interview and review of their medical records. Demographic, clinical, and role function data were collected. Almost all inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were prescribed an antipsychotic. The majority of inpatients were prescribed an antipsychotic within the recommended dose range, whereas the majority of outpatients were prescribed an antipsychotic either below or above the recommended dose range. There were no consistent relationships between patient, geographic, and treatment characteristics and antipsychotic dose. Patients treated with conventional antipsychotic doses below the recommended dose range had significantly better role function. Prospective longitudinal studies are required to delineate the factors that may underlie this relationship.
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Baltimore 21228, USA. rwbuchanan@mprc.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kreyenbuhl
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zito
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019091:Critical Pathways; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents