The European Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes Study: baseline findings across country and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the baseline findings and study population of the Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (SOHO) Study.


METHODS
The SOHO study is an ongoing, large, prospective, long-term observational study of schizophrenia treatment in 10 European countries. The study population consists of out-patients who initiate therapy or change to a new antipsychotic.


RESULTS
A total of 1096 investigators enrolled 10 972 patients. Approximately 60% of patients were men and the mean age was 40 years. Patients treated with clozapine and more than one antipsychotic are more severely ill, patients receiving depot medications have a history of non-compliance, and patients receiving their first antipsychotic for schizophrenia are most likely to receive an atypical agent.


CONCLUSIONS
The SOHO study population appears to represent European out-patients with schizophrenia in whom a treatment decision is required. Baseline findings reflect European clinical practice with respect to patients treated with individual antipsychotics.
Haro
J M
JM
Research and Development Unit, Sant Joan de Déu-SSM, Sant Boi, Barcelona, Spain. 27652jha@comb.es
Edgell
E T
ET
Frewer
P
P
Alonso
J
J
Jones
P B
PB
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine