Safety, effectiveness, and quality of life of olanzapine in first-episode schizophrenia: a naturalistic study.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effectiveness, safety, and quality of life (Qol) offered by olanzapine in first-episode schizophrenia.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-two patients with first-episode schizophrenia (ICD-10) drawn from a larger, naturalistic, study were evaluated after 6 months of treatment with olanzapine, risperidone, or conventional antipsychotics (CA). Clinical status was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Global Assessment of Function (GAF). AWAD and EuroQol scales were used to evaluate patients' attitude towards medication and Qol, respectively.


RESULTS
Subjects treated with olanzapine, risperidone, and CA showed similar improvements on CGI-S and GAF. Treatment-emergent, extrapyramidal symptoms were significantly lower in olanzapine-treated patients (17.8%) than in the risperidone (46.4%) and CA (62.2%) groups. Compared to CA, olanzapine and risperidone showed significantly greater improvement on the visual analog scale of EuroQol. Olanzapine-treated patients also showed significantly improved AWAD scores.


CONCLUSIONS
In first-episode schizophrenia, atypical antipsychotics were effective, and improved Qol. Olanzapine had a lower incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms and better subjective acceptance of medication.
Montes
José Manuel
JM
Centro de Salud Mental "La Plata" ("La Plata" Mental Health Center), University of Alcalá de Henares, Travesi;a de la Cañada s/n Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain. j_m_montes@hotmail.com
Ciudad
Antonio
A
Gascón
Josep
J
Gómez
Juan Carlos
JC
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine