Flupenthixol versus risperidone: subjective quality of life as an important factor for compliance in chronic schizophrenic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this paper was to compare the effects of flupenthixol and risperidone on subjective quality of life and attitude towards medication in chronic schizophrenic patients with mainly negative symptoms. In a spectrum ranging from its typical end "haloperidol" to its atypical end "clozapine", flupenthixol has typical and atypical characteristics.


METHODS
The effects of flupenthixol versus risperidone were investigated in a multicenter, double-blind trial, whereas subjective quality of life was assessed by means of the EuroQuol-Visual Analogue Scale and the patient satisfaction questionnaire. The attitude towards medication was assessed by means of the Drug Attitude Inventory-30 (DAI-30).


RESULTS
Mean daily dose of study medication was 6.6 (SD 2.9) mg/day flupenthixol and 3.6 (SD 1.2) mg/day risperidone. Both groups showed a significant improvement regarding subjective quality of life and positive attitude towards medication. Especially the categories "control of their thoughts", concentration and "feeling better in general" ameliorated in both groups. In the flupenthixol group, the "ability to cope with stress", "feel more relaxed" and the "ability to achieve something" improved significantly more than in the risperidone group.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The spectrum of schizophrenia can be treated effectively with different neuroleptic treatments. (2) Flupenthixol especially improves the ability to cope with stress, the ability to achieve something and feeling more relaxed. (3) Subjective quality of life significantly increased with no difference between the groups.
Hertling
I
I
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Philipp
M
M
Dvorak
A
A
Glaser
T
T
Mast
O
O
Beneke
M
M
Ramskogler
K
K
Saletu-Zyhlarz
G
G
Walter
H
H
Lesch
O M
OM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005475:Flupenthixol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005475:Flupenthixol; D018967:Risperidone