Clozapine treatment in patients with prior substance abuse.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined outcomes following discharge on clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients with and without diagnosed substance abuse histories.


METHODS
Those discharged on clozapine from a research unit between April 1991 and March 1996 were followed with respect to hospitalization status. Of the treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia, 19 were diagnosed as individuals with substance abuse, while 26 patients had no history of abuse. Patients were openly treated with clozapine and were included in the study if they were stabilized and discharged on the medication.


RESULTS
Patients who had histories of abuse exhibited a better treatment response and a lower total Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score at discharge, compared with the non-substance abuse group. One-year readmission rates were 21% and 23% in patients with and without prior substance abuse histories, respectively (P = ns).


CONCLUSIONS
Clozapine may be a therapeutic option for the dually diagnosed population and may offer benefits to patients with schizophrenia who have a history of substance abuse.
Kelly
Deanna L
DL
School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. dkelly@mprc.umaryland.edu
Gale
Elizabeth A
EA
Conley
Robert R
RR
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine